Pattaya Film Festival Aims for UNESCO Creative City Status in 2027

PATTAYA — Pattaya is stepping up efforts to establish itself as a creative city of film, with the fourth Pattaya Film Festival being held from 28-30 August 2026 as part of preparations for a UNESCO Creative Cities Network application in 2027. The opening ceremony was held on 29 August at Central Pattaya Beach, with Yutika Israngkun Na Ayudhaya, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Culture, presiding. The event was also attended by Chonburi Deputy Governor Pongthasit Pijanan, Chonburi Culture Office director Khanueng Khailuenam, government agencies, private-sector representatives, businesses, residents and tourists. Organised by the Ministry of Culture through the Chonburi Provincial Culture Office, the festival is part of efforts to promote “Pattaya Creative City of Film – UNESCO Creative Cities Network” and the Pattaya International Film Festival 2026. The festival is being held at Major Cineplex Avenue Pattaya and Central Pattaya Beach, bringing together film, contemporary art and cultural activities. The initiative aims to position Pattaya as a UNESCO Creative City of Film by 2027 through cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Chonburi province, Pattaya City, the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) Pattaya Office and other partners. It also seeks to connect the film industry with tourism, trade and investment while generating income for local businesses and communities. Yutika said the fourth edition of the Pattaya Film Festival demonstrated the city’s readiness ahead of its planned UNESCO application in 2027. She said Pattaya has several strengths that could support its bid, including diverse cultural assets, educational institutions offering film-related programmes, skilled personnel, a wide range of filming locations, facilities and the capacity to host international film festivals. If Pattaya succeeds in joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Film, it could become both a filming destination and a destination for the wider film industry, attracting production crews and related professionals. This could help channel spending directly into local businesses and strengthen the grassroots economy, she said. Pongthasit said Chonburi appreciated the Ministry of Culture’s continued support for the Pattaya Film Festival. He said UNESCO recognition could make film an important new channel for showcasing Pattaya and Chonburi’s cultural assets and tourist attractions to a wider international audience, while helping promote tourism in the future. Central Pattaya Beach was transformed into a hub for film and contemporary culture during the festival, featuring a creative city market, booths for businesses and tourism operators, shops, workshops, a walking street and food culture zone, as well as business matching activities. The business matching programme was designed to connect local entrepreneurs with businesses and create new economic opportunities. One of the festival’s highlights was “Director’s Cut Unlock: Behind the Lens, Exploring the New Generation,” a discussion featuring young short-film directors. The session explored filmmaking techniques, inspiration and social perspectives, while films produced under the “New Generation, New Filmmakers” short-film competition were also screened. The evening programme concluded with a mini-concert by “Nick The Star” and an outdoor screening of the film “Kung Fu Hustle,” with a live performance by the Master voice-dubbing team, adding to the atmosphere along Pattaya Beach. At Major Cineplex Avenue Pattaya, two films were screened each day. On 28 August, audiences could watch “The Interpreter” and “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.” On 29 August, the line-up featured “The Believers” and “The Undertaker 1,” while “Muen Roi” and “Nak Rak Mak Mak” were screened on 30 August. All activities at the Pattaya Film Festival were free for the public and tourists. Beyond providing entertainment and opportunities to learn about filmmaking, the festival is intended to develop a new generation of film professionals, connect entrepreneurs with the business sector and use cinema as a tool to promote Pattaya. Organisers hope the initiative will help drive Pattaya toward becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Film in 2027 and eventually develop the city into a regional hub for the film industry. Opening ceremony, red carpet and awards Under the theme “The Cinematic Wave,” the festival aims to harness the power of cinema to drive Thailand’s soft power and elevate Pattaya’s tourism sector as a world-class creative city of film. The event will bring together leading Thai actors, actresses, directors and filmmakers for a grand Red Carpet event at the Colosseum Show Pattaya Cabaret. The programme will also feature an Awards Ceremony, recognising outstanding films, series and actors across more than 18 award categories. The post Pattaya Film Festival eyes UNESCO creative city status in 2027 appeared first on Khaosod English.