Los Angeles, CA. October 13, 2006. Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Mahidol of Thailand introduced the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival, to be held January 26 – February 5, at a private event last night, hosting such guests as Nicolas Cage, Oliver Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Jeremy Davies and Ray Harryhausen. Cage has just returned from Thailand where he was shooting Big Hit in Bangkok, written and directed by the Pang Brothers. Stallone will be directing and starring in Rambo IV: In the Serpent's Eye, which will begin shooting in Thailand soon.

The festival will honor legendary stop-motion filmmaker Ray Harryhausen with the 2007 Golden Kinnaree Creative Achievement Award for his contribution to cinema. In celebration of Harryhausen's extraordinary career, the festival will showcase a retrospective of his work and present his award during the Awards Gala, February 3rd in Bangkok.

Ray Harryhausen has been honored with both a star on Hollywood's renowned Walk of Fame and an Oscar for his life time achievements at the 64th Annual Academy Awards®. Harryhausen has enriched us with films such as the critically acclaimed and groundbreaking Sinbad trilogy, Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans.

Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Tourism Authority of Thailand Director, International Public Relations Division, of the Bangkok International Film Festival, stated, "We are delighted Ray Harryhausen will be a part of the 2007 festival given his illustrious career and mark he has made within cinematic history. His work has resonated universally and his presence in Bangkok is a highlight for the festival."

In her welcoming address Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Mahidol of Thailand stated "It is with great pleasure that I serve as the patron of the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival and Market. This year we will present approximately 100 films from around the world, informative workshops and seminars, and of course our wonderful special events and receptions. On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the countless people who work so hard to bring such a special event to the world — I encourage you all to visit the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival."

Bangkok has been graced with exceptional talent over the years that support the festival via films, jury participation, master class seminars and industry panels. The festival is proud to announce two jury members that are confirmed to participate this year: Ashok Amritraj, Chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment as an international jury member and Arnold Schwartzman, OBE RDI, Academy Award® winning filmmaker and noted graphic designer, serving on the documentary jury. Amritraj, awarded with several accolades such as the prestigious "Pride of India" Award from the American Indian Foundation, has recently produced box office hits Bringing Down the House, Dreamer and Shopgirl in addition to the upcoming feature Premonition. Schwartzman is best known for his Oscar winning documentary Genocide, narrated by Orson Welles and Elizabeth Taylor with music by Elmer Bernstein, and his celebrated design work for the Annual Academy Awards® in addition to his appointment by Queen Elizabeth II for services in the British film industry in the U.S.A., and his distinction by Britain's Royal Society of Arts.

This year's festival sees a truly international selection of films both in and out of competition which include Paul Verhoeven's Black Book (Netherlands / UK / Germany), Wisit Sasanatieng The Unseeable (Thailand), Ray Lawrence's Jindabyne (Australia), Vishal Bharadwaj's Omkara (India) and John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus (USA).

For further information please contact:
Los Angeles:
Lisa Lazure / Julia Orr
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London:
Gina Peasnall
DDA PR
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