12th Thai Short Film and Video Festival: Award results

The 12th Thai Short Film and Video Festival wrapped up yesterday after a record-setting 16-day run over the course of three weeks. The fest was the first major film event for the new Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and served as a great way to break in the facility's new auditorium. The seating is a bit cramped and has no head support, but the 250-seat space was just about right for the fest, for now.

I didn't watch as many of the Thai competition films as I should have. Highlights for me were the Digital Forum, The Convert and the Clermont-Ferrand program. I also saw the Inspired by R.D. Pestonji package, in which Chalida Uabrumrungjit's excellent documentary The Signature was shown, and then seven shorts, the best of which was Where's My Doll?, an original drama that seemed to capture all the elements of all of Pestonji's films.

The awards in the Thai competition were presented last night. Here are the winners:

Best Actor

• Prapatsorn Junsatitporn from Blind

The Pirabkao Award

• I’m Fine Sa-bai-dee kah by Tanwarin Sukkhapisit

Kodak Film School Competition Award

• Tadpole by Sumantana Jenjitman, Pannapa Saewong, and Pittaya Jantakotr (cinematographer Pannapa Saewong)

Inspired by R.D. Pestonji Award

• Special mention: Where’s My Doll? by Tanwarin Sukkhapisit
• Winner: No award given

The Vichitmatra Award

• I will rape you with this scissors by Napat Treepalawisetkun
• The Love by Supakit Seksuwan
• Our Monument by Phuttiphong Aroonpheng
• Century of Love by Chalermrat Kaweewattana

The Duke Award (for documentary)

• Special Mention: Close-Friend by Patchara Eaimtrakul, and The Same Old Sea by Pisut Srimhok
• Runner-Up: Mobile Cinema by Panu Saeng-Xuto
• Winner: No award given

The Payut Ngaokrachang Award (for animation)

• Special Mention: Victim by Nattaporn Yiamchawee and Nattapol Nark-ngen, and When the Day Comes by Supparerk Polsawad
• Runner-Up: Zoey by Sasapitt Rujirat, and Old Books by Phatompong Lomchai
• Winner: The Invisible City by Boonsri Tangtrongsin

The Special White Elephant (for filmmaker under 18 years old)

• Special Jury Prize: Would you like to buy voice? by Phumrapee Tang
• Special Mention of the year: Remember by Tossaporn Riantong

The White Elephant Award (for Thai university student)

• Special Mention: Vagabond’s Shoe by Prachaya Lampongchat; Blind by Kanjana Akasin; and Run by Watthanadech Ketsuan
• Runner-up: Shan at the Dawn by Nattachai Jaitita, and Small World by Wasunan Hutavej
• Winner: Danger (Director Cut) by Chulayarnnon Siriphol

International Competition

• Special Mention: The Wednesdays by Conor Ferguson (Ireland); The Watermelon Chickens by Won Jong-shik (South Korea); and Tag! by Anders Skog (Sweden)
• Winner: The Limits by Thomas Adamicka (Germany)

The R.D. Pestonji Award (for general individuals)

• Special Mention: The Lost Tape by Tanate Makkasakul, and Century of Love by Chalermrat Kaweewattana
• Runner-up: Nongharn by Panus Boonnun; You Never Known by Parinya; and Relativity
• Winner: I’m Fine Sa-bai-dee kah by Tanwarin Sukkhapisit
  

The Popular Vote (audience poll)

• Remember by Tossaporn Riantong

(Thanks Sanchai!)