DITP Heads to Cannes 2024, Showcasing Thai Content at the Marché du Film

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), under the Thai Ministry of Commerce, is accelerating the promotion of Thai soft power content at full throttle. It will support twelve leading Thai companies in attending the Marché du Film at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, one of the world’s premier film festivals and a crucial market for the global film industry.

Scheduled from May 14th to 22nd, 2024, in Cannes, France, this event attracts a substantial number of attendees, particularly European film creators and producers with significant purchasing power. This year, leading Thai companies, along with the Thai Association of Boys Love Content, will bring Thai soft power to the world’s oldest and largest film festival.

Mr. Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, Director-General of DITP, stated that following the success of the FILMART 2024 trade negotiations in Hong Kong, China, from March 11th to 14th, which generated potential valued at over US$71m, the DITP has continued to support the industry, aligned with Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce’s vision. This vision aims to foster a new economy by providing Thailand with
soft power based on its cultural capital and existing creative ideas, thereby adding economic value. Supporting Thai companies to attend international events like the Marché du Film is a valuable way of bringing Thai digital content to the international market.

The Cannes Film Festival is not only one of the world’s most famous film festivals, but also offers vital business opportunities at the Marché du Film, including networking and pitching sessions. The Cannes Film Festival stands out as a unique festival, not only due to its history and fame but also its attractiveness to key players in both the commercial and artistic film worlds. Each year, over 600 international companies and more than 14,000 attendees from 140 countries.

The DITP has supported the participation of Thai companies at the Marché du Film for a number of years, and it has proven a valuable gateway to the European and Latin American markets.

This year, the Thailand Pavilion will feature twelve potential Thai companies, including nine film production and distribution companies such as BrandThink, GDH 559, Hollywood (Thailand), Kantana Motion Pictures, M Pictures, Neramitnung Film, Night Edge Pictures, Right Beyond and Sahamongkolfilm International. Additionally, one television content and formats company, Halo Productions, and two production and post-production service providers, namely Benetone Films and Yggdrazil Group, are participating. It is expected that trade negotiations will generate no less than US$21m in trade value.”