Thanks heavens this fine event will not be cancelled, as too many of these cool little festivals get lost due to lack of money. Plus let’s face it, Thailand needs the cash! These poor people are still rebuilding from the disaster that hit only a couple years ago and a big change in government after last year’s coup.

So it’s on like Donkey Kong – as the dates are now announced for July 19-29, but they will be operating on a much smaller budget of 60 million baht ($1.5 million) vs. last year's $4.7 million.

Choosing the films will be the Tourism Board PR director Chattan Kujara Na Ayudha (in his new post as festival director, with his super-long name) with Thai programmers Chalida Uabumrungjit and Mai Meksawan. "We aim to put an emphasis on Asian cinema and to make the festival more friendly to the Thai audience," said Chattan.

The festival was thought to be cancelled after they fired the LA-based firm of Film Festival Management (which handled the glitz and glamour-making part of the event for the past 4 years) and then the original slated dates of Jan 26 – Feb 5 kind of slipped by… so we’re all glad to hear they’re going on with it! More info HERE.