Press Conference FILM VILLAGE 2026

On Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, a press conference was held at FAM – Fahlanna Art Museum, Chiang Mai, to announce the upcoming Film Village project, scheduled to take place in the following months. The project is a short advertising film competition developed under the concept of creative media for society and creative cities, with the aim of elevating the Digital Craft District in Chiang Mai Province.

This is a place-based creative initiative that focuses on developing people alongside the city through the power of cinematic media and storytelling. FILM VILLAGE 2026 is not merely a competition platform, but a creative ecosystem and a new Digital Craft district, intentionally designed to foster the long-term potential of participants. The project features a variety of sub-campaigns, including media, film, and advertising production workshops, panel discussions with directors, screenwriters, and creative professionals, as well as media competitions promoting tourism and city branding.

Under this year’s main theme, “Chiang Mai Livable City,” the project aims to produce creative promotional media that invites audiences to experience Chiang Mai through multiple dimensions: Culture | Lifestyle | Art | People | Nature | Contemporary Living

On this occasion, Mr. Nipan Chawcharernpon and Jason Deford were honored to participate as expert mentors and speakers in the project. They joined the discussion and shared insights under the topics “The Role of Film in Tourism, the Film Industry, and the Creative Economy” and “Thailand’s Unique Strengths Worth Highlighting for International Audiences through Cinematic Media.” These perspectives were presented through the lens of an American cinematographer (Jason) who has lived and worked in Thailand for over 10 years, capturing the beauty, atmosphere, and unique visual identity of Thailand and communicating them to the global market through film.