Pattaya, Thailand – On August 19th, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngampichet officially announced the third edition of the Pattaya Film Festival 2025, set to take place from August 28-30, 2025.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the Bua Sawan Room at Pullman Pattaya Hotel G, accompanied by a special panel discussion titled Pattaya on Screen: Unlocking the Potential and Readiness of the Pattaya Film Festival. Joining the mayor were Siwat Boonkerd, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Pattaya City, Kritika Chatchawaly, Manager of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) Pattaya, and acclaimed film director Paul Spurrier. The event saw attendance from city officials, representatives from Chonburi Province, DASTA, various government and private sector business owners, local communities, and media outlets including The Pattaya News.
The Pattaya Film Festival is a cornerstone of Thailand’s soft power strategy, aimed at elevating the Thai film industry to global standards while promoting Thai culture, traditions, and lifestyles. Beyond cultural enrichment, the festival is a catalyst for economic growth, boosting tourism, trade, and investment. Thailand has long been a sought-after filming destination, with its diverse locations and skilled workforce. According to the Department of Tourism, in the first half of 2025, 279 foreign film productions were shot in Thailand, generating over 2.866 billion baht in revenue. Bangkok, Pathum Thani, and Chonburi—home to Pattaya—ranked as the top three filming locations.
Pattaya has solidified its commitment to becoming a global film hub by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 12 key organizations, including the Ministry of Culture, DASTA, the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, the Department of Tourism, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the Creative Economy Agency, the Thai Film Archive, Thammasat University, Burapha University, the National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations, the Thai Animation and Computer Graphic Association, and the Thai Entertainment Content Creators Network. This collaboration aims to position Pattaya as a UNESCO Creative City of Film and a center for the global film industry.
Mayor Poramse explained Pattaya’s transformation from a beach destination to a hub of art and culture. “Pattaya is more than its beautiful beaches and famous nightlife; it’s a city poised to become a global leader in the film industry,” he said. “The film industry is a powerful soft power tool that tells stories, inspires, and drives economic growth by creating jobs and opportunities for locals.” He highlighted Pattaya’s diverse landscapes—from beaches to communities—along with its infrastructure and skilled workforce, making it an ideal filming destination. The festival’s ultimate goal is to secure Pattaya’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Film, fostering sustainable growth in the industry.
The Pattaya Film Festival 2025 promises to offer immersive experiences for locals and tourists alike. Highlights include open-air beachside screenings, Masterclass sessions with leading industry figures to inspire emerging talent, and a curated selection of 16 films from Thailand and abroad. Additional activities include panel discussions, workshops sharing filmmaking expertise, and a unique Film Trip exploring Pattaya’s world-class filming locations. These initiatives aim to showcase Pattaya’s potential as a global filming hub while boosting tourism and local commerce.
Mayor Poramese invited everyone to join the movement to establish Pattaya as a UNESCO Creative City of Film. “Come experience the charm of Pattaya—its sea, nature, culture, and nightlife—through the lens of cinema at the Pattaya Film Festival 2025, held at SF Cinema Pattaya and multiple other areas,” he said. The festival is set to not only elevate Pattaya’s global profile but also invigorate its economy, making it a must-visit event for film enthusiasts and travelers alike.
