Bangkok Experimental Film Festival Returns After 13 Years with Expanded Cinema and VR
The 7th Bangkok Experimental Film Festival (BEFF7), themed 'Nowhere Somewhere', was held from January 25 to February 2, 2025, at One Bangkok Forum, marking its return after a 13-year break. Established in 1997 by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Gridthiya Gaweewong, the festival showcased more than 120 films, installations, workshops, and performances. Notable presentations included 'Echoes of the Beating Drum' (2025) by Nottapon Boonprakob and Weerasethakul's VR piece 'A Conversation with the Sun' (2022). Curated by David Teh and May Adadol Ingawanij, the event highlighted female filmmaker Sasithorn Ariyavicha and 'Memorialising BEFF'. Additionally, Mary Pansanga's installation 'COSMORAMA' (2025) featured Tilda Swinton's performance on the opening night, promoting a sense of community.
Key facts
- BEFF7 took place from 25 January to 2 February 2025 at One Bangkok Forum.
- The festival returned after a 13-year hiatus, featuring over 120 films, installations, workshops, and live performances.
- Co-founders Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Gridthiya Gaweewong launched BEFF in 1997.
- Highlights included Nottapon Boonprakob's performance piece 'Echoes of the Beating Drum' (2025) and Apichatpong Weerasethakul's VR work 'A Conversation with the Sun' (2022).
- Curators involved included David Teh, May Adadol Ingawanij, George Clark, and Mary Pansanga.
- The Thai Film Archive presented a retrospective of female filmmaker Sasithorn Ariyavicha, including her 2004 film 'Birth of the Seanéma'.
- Tilda Swinton performed a live piece on opening night in the installation space.
- The festival's tagline was 'nowhere to somewhere', emphasizing the growth of Thailand's experimental film scene.
Entities
Artists
- Apichatpong Weerasethakul
- Gridthiya Gaweewong
- Bruce Baillie
- Panu Aree
- Nottapon Boonprakob
- Maitree Chamroensuksakul
- Chaiyaphum Pasae
- David Teh
- May Adadol Ingawanij
- George Clark
- Sasithorn Ariyavicha
- Mary Pansanga
- Tilda Swinton
- Ryuichi Sakamoto
Institutions
- Bangkok Experimental Film Festival
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Thai Film Archive
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- One Bangkok Forum
- Chicago
- United States