Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2007

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2007
click www.tourismthailand.org

BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2007

Festival venues: Central World, SF World Cinema and Siam Paragon Hall


The Bangkok International Film Festival, now in its fifth year, has been held annually by the Tourism Authority of Thailand since 2003 and is one of the key highlights on Thailand’s annual festivals and event calendar.


Each year, the festival showcases more than a hundred feature and short films, representing some of the best and the brightest in the current international cinema through its various programme sections. The festival focuses on the works by emerging filmmakers throughout Asia, and in particular those of the Southeast Asian region.

The Golden Kinnaree Awards are judged in the three competition categories by a panel of international jury. Running concurrently with the festival are also a number of sidebar events such as panel discussions, workshops, master classes, exhibitions as well as the Bangkok Film Market.

The 2007 event will be the first ever organized by a core of Thai organizers, which include the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Central World, SF Cinema, and the Association of Thai Film Federations.

Official Venues for the Bangkok International Film Festival 2007
At SF World Cinema, 7th floor Central World Shopping Center on July 19-29, 2007

Central World
The new downtown shopping and lifestyle complex of Central World has been designated the official host venue for the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival. The largest lifestyle-shopping complex in Southeast Asia, the complex also comprises a 550-room, 5-star hotel, and two office buildings. The range of offerings encompasses more than 500 stores, 50 restaurants, 21 cinemas, a bowling hall, 2 department stores: Zen and Isetan, and much more.

Situated right in the heart of one of Bangkok’s prime locations, Central World is on the city’s “shopping street”, Ratchadamri Road, and surrounded by several five-star hotels and office buildings within walking distance.

SF World Cinema
The theatres are situated on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the Central World. With an area of 13,500 sq.m, the theatres comprise 15 screens with over 4,000 seats, including a megascreen with 800 seats, first-class theatres with lounges and additional special theatres.

Bangkok Film Market
Royal Paragon Hall on July 23-25, 2007
The Bangkok Film Market, which is trade show for film buyers and sellers, will be held at nearby Siam Paragon Hall during July 23-25.

The 2007 version of the festival, held for the fifth consecutive year, will feature approximately 100 films from around the globe. There will be an increase in emphasis on Asian films to respond to their popularity both in Thailand and abroad. Asian movies regularly screen in theaters in major cities and they have generated large followings in certain genres like horror and romantic comedy. Some have even been made into major Hollywood productions.

The Bangkok Film Market held during the festival is expected to do brisk business in the acquisition of Asian films for theatrical release overseas, with many projects planning to recoup their investment with screening and DVD sales outside their original base. Negotiations are commencing for a number of celebrities and industry individuals to attend the festival.

The Bangkok International Film Festival will also feature several seminars and workshops aimed at educating the public and introducing new developments in movie making, as well as some retrospect on important pioneers and periods of local cinema.

The highlight of the glamour part of the festival is the Kinnaree Award presented to the best film in the festival as selected by a respected panel of international jurors. Two other awards will be the New Voices Award honoring first-time directors and the ASEAN Films Award given to the best film from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

For the latest updates, visit the Bangkok International Film Festival web site: www.bangkokfilm.org

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Remembrance of things past

Books Editor Patrik Henry Bass is happy that at long last a few publishers got the memo about releasing Black History Month books that celebrate, uplift and empower us. Here our intrepid bibliophile shares three of his personal favorites, which he hopes you'll add to your own collection

West Coast editor Regina R. Robertson dishes entertainment news from Hollywood to Harlem

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The best is yet to come

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On the cover shoot with Nia Long

December 3, 2006: Our cover team headed west to Venice Beach, California, and the surfside studio of celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston to prepare for the arrival of our six-time cover girt Nia Long. She slipped in wearing skinny cropped jeans, a cozy sweater and hot leopard stilettos. Our Glare Squad decided on a romantic look for the beloved star. Makeup artist Eric Ferrell crafted a pretty palette of violet and chocolate hues to bring out Nia's gorgeous eyes and lips, while stylist Neeko created a bedroom do of soft falling waves. Manicurist Von Christmas delivered the final flourish: luscious nail enamel in Caramel painted on Nia's short, modern nails. Our cover girl loved the clothes too, which she described as "very romantic, dreamy pieces--I basically feel like a queen." And that's exactly how she carded on in front of the camera, raising a brow, tilting her chin, working a shoulder here and there as Kwaku captured it all on film. "These are the best times of my life," Nia said before leaving the set. Truly, it shows!