Lights, Laughter and Local Flavours: Pattaya’s Film Frenzy Takes Centre Stage
Pattaya rolled out the cinematic red carpet this week as the third Pattaya Film Festival exploded into life, turning the seaside city into a buzzing movie-lovers’ playground. From August 28–30, SF Cinema Central Pattaya and several outdoor stages around the city hosted filmmakers, actors and fans — local and international — all united by popcorn, passion and a shared love of cinema.
Far from being a one-note beach town, Pattaya is pushing hard to be known for more than nightlife. Organised by Pattaya City, the festival is a deliberate stride toward cementing the city’s growing reputation as a UNESCO Creative City for Film and positioning it as a regional creative hub. If the first two editions were a rehearsed scene, this third festival was full-blown premiere night energy — lights, cameras and plenty of conversation afterwards.
Mayor’s Message & A Big Ambition
“I firmly believe the third Pattaya Film Festival will elevate Thai cinema and create lasting value for the industry. I invite locals and tourists to immerse themselves in this cinematic experience and enjoy high-quality films from around the world.” — Mayor Poramet Ngampichet
Mayor Poramet’s words captured the festival’s dual mission: to spotlight Thai storytelling while inviting global cinema into Pattaya’s sunlit embrace. The goal is clear — raise the profile of Thai film and add another feather to the city’s cap as it vies for international cultural recognition.
A Lineup Designed to Surprise and Delight
The festival programming mixed serious arthouse with crowd-pleasers and genre fare, offering something for every type of moviegoer. SF Cinema Central Marina hosted the Thailand premiere of Dream along with a curated slate of 16 Thai and international titles. Highlights included the tender drama 20,000 Species of Bees, the social-media satire Influencer, sci-fi curiosity Alien: Earth, the glitzy Kiss the Con Queen, the introspective Deeper and the timeless Renoir.
Homegrown hits were also well represented — Viman Nam, Youth 2544 and the buzzy Mr. Hurt were among the Thai films drawing crowds, giving audiences the chance to celebrate national talent alongside global offerings.
Movies Under the Sky: Open-Air Screenings That Feel Like Summer
The festival went beyond the multiplex with 16 open-air screenings staged across four iconic Pattaya locations. Picture this: action-packed Tony Jaa blockbusters roaring across an outdoor screen at Bodhi Court in Na Kluea, the sea breeze throwing popcorn-scented confetti into the night. Horror fans got their chills with the premiere of Last Night at Hat Mai Krathueng Thong Temple, complete with post-screening Q&A sessions to unpack the scares.
Families and animation fans were treated to Khan Kluay at Nong Yai Temple, while Pattaya Central Beach transformed into a comedy club for AI Exclusive and Gang Muang Puan Yaowarat — laughter rolling across the sand under starlit skies. Outdoor screenings brought films into the community, turning temples, beaches and public squares into impromptu movie palaces.
More Than Movies: Food, Community and Culture
The festival wasn’t just about screen time. Local food stalls and community product booths created a festival village where cinema culture mixed with Thai flavours: spicy snacks, sweet treats and artisanal stalls offered festivalgoers a sensory tour of Pattaya’s local economy. It was cinema served with a side of street-food delight and small-business support.
Why This Matters
Events like the Pattaya Film Festival do more than entertain. They build soft power, give local filmmakers exposure, and invite tourists to see a different side of the city. The festival’s mix of indoor premieres and free outdoor screenings democratizes access to film while boosting foot traffic for local vendors, hotels and attractions. It’s cultural diplomacy with popcorn — and that’s good for Pattaya’s brand.
Get Involved
If you missed this year’s screenings, keep an eye on the festival’s official Facebook page for full schedules, trailers and announcements about future events. Pattaya’s cinematic ambitions are only heating up — expect more premieres, more outdoor nights and a growing roster of international collaborators as the city leans into its UNESCO Creative City for Film status.
Whether you’re a devoted cinephile or a casual beachgoer looking for a new kind of night out, the Pattaya Film Festival proved one thing: in this city, cinema and community are a match made in coastal heaven.
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