Presented with support from DFAT and UNICEF, this panel discussion considered young domestic film industries like the one in Laos — represented here by director Anysay Keola and actor Khamhou Phanludeth — in the context of media that is increasingly transnational and widely accessible. Joining them was Australian actor Callan McAuliffe, who works internationally (and whose credits include U.S. productions The Great Gatbsy and The Walking Dead).

Presented by the British Embassy in Vientiane and in collaboration with Free The Bears, “Bears About the Festival” featured a special screening of the two-part BBC-produced film Bears About the House, an inside look at the work of Free the Bears the fruits of its close collaboration with the Lao government to protect wildlife.

A panel discussion with audience questions followed the screening.

Presented by UNICEF, this premiere celebrated the cast and crew of Absence of Sound, a film produced in Luang Prabang itself. With performances by Tanu Vannasin and Alouna Thavonsouk, introductions to cast and crew, and a discussion of the film before a live audience, the event highlighted the accomplishments of domestic contemporary artists in Laos.

Presented by White Light, at the UK Embassy-supported VIP Directors’ lounge, this was an opportunity for filmmakers to get to know Max Tersch and learn more about one of the premier post-production studios in Thailand.

Joining him at the lounge was Dew Napattaloong of SEAFIC (and who currently serves as the Thai MPA for Blue Chair). Dew shared insights on the evolving landscape of labs and development opportunities in Thailand and across the region.

For this special panel discussion,visiting filmmakers Jake Wachtel (Cambodia, Karmalink), Monster Jiminez (Philippines, Leonor Will Never Die), and Muzzamer Rahman (Malaysia, Hail, Driver) spoke to the contemporary challenges and rewards of screenwriting in Southeast Asia.

Following a reception and screening of “Face of the Mekong” and “Soul River,” the Cambodian contribution to MEKONG 2030, panelists representing artists, advocates for the health of the Mekong,  and representatives of communities who depend on it, discussed the ways in which arts, ecology, and advocacy can work together to engage, inform, and inspire audiences. The discussion was followed by the four remaining short films from MEKONG 2030.

The Ban Mano Venue Sunday lineup this year included documentary films from Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore, and we were pleased to have these represented by filmmakers. Viknesh Kobinathan, of the Asian Film Archive, talked  with Ananta Thitanat (Thailand, SCALA) and Uruphong Raksasad (Thailand, Worship) about documentary filmmaking in this region in this era. Lao filmmaker Xaysongkham Induangchanty was on-hand to interpret.