Thai PBS Foundation, Thai PBS, and VIPA are joining forces with the Department of Cultural Promotion (Ministry of Culture), the Thai Media Fund, and the Thai Independent Filmmakers Association to present the VIPA International Film Festival 2026 (VIFF 2026) — VIPA's first-ever international film festival. Running from 11–25 September 2026 at Thai PBS headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok, and on the VIPA platform, the festival is free to attend and built around a single guiding idea: ‘FIRST’.
VIFF 2026 spans 15 days of Thai and international cinema, with over 46 films, plus Film Talks, workshops, networking sessions, interactive exhibitions, and the announcement of the VIPA Film Prize: Emerging Competition—a competition for short films and documentaries. This year, the festival received 181 entries from 9 countries, including 29 international submissions and over 111 works by emerging directors, reflecting its core mission of giving new voices a moment in the spotlight.
Six Partners, One Mission: Creating a 'First Stage' for Emerging Filmmakers
Sirichai Sakornrattanakul, Chairperson of the Thai PBS Foundation, said VIFF 2026 reflects a shared commitment to creating real opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers. "Supporting young creators should go beyond handing out prizes," he said. "We need to build spaces where they can experiment, learn, produce, and bring their work to an audience. VIFF 2026 is a collaboration across sectors — one that wants to build a sustainable ecosystem for emerging filmmakers to grow in."
Adisak Limprungpattanakij, Deputy Director General of Thai PBS, described the festival as an extension of Thai PBS's public media role. "We want Thai PBS to move beyond being a content producer and broadcaster — to become a shared space for the creative industry," he said. "VIFF 2026 is not just an annual film screening event. It's about building a Film Community that connects emerging directors, students, independent filmmakers, producers, academic institutions, and industry professionals. The concept of 'FIRST' doesn't only refer to a filmmaker's debut work — it means untold stories, new perspectives, new ways of storytelling, and the first opportunity to step seriously into the filmmaking industry."
From Festival to Film Community: Watch, Learn, Connect
Kanokporn Prasitphon, Director of the Thai PBS Digital Media Department, said the festival is designed as more than a screening programme. "We don't want audiences to simply come, watch a film, and leave. We want them to meet the filmmakers, exchange ideas, and share the space as a Film Community," she said.
VIFF 2026 will be staged as a hybrid festival, transforming various spaces across the Thai PBS campus — including an Outdoor Cinema and the Thai PBS Mini Theatre — into festival venues where audiences can watch films, interact with directors, explore exhibitions, and join workshops. At the same time, VIPA will serve as the Online Festival Hub, extending the festival experience to audiences across the country who can stream selected films, participate in the festival, and cast votes for the Audience Choice Award — ensuring the experience continues beyond the physical venue.
Festival Highlights
11 Sept — Opening Day
The festival opens with an interactive exhibition, director and cast meet-and-greets, and an outdoor screening of One Cut Monk (หลวงพ่อคิดบวก), directed by Arunsak Onglalor — a film shot entirely in a single continuous take, inviting audiences to experience a bold new approach to filmmaking that perfectly embodies the festival's "FIRST" theme.
12–13 Sept — Festival Weekend
A full programme of Thai and international films, a One Cut filmmaking workshop, and panel discussions with emerging and established directors on the craft of filmmaking.
19–20 Sept — Documentary Weekend
Thai and international documentary screenings, conversations with directors, producers, and experts, an exhibition by artists and storytellers, and the announcement of the VIPA Pitching Project 2026 short film and documentary competition winners.
21–25 Sept — Exhibition: "50 Years of 6 October: Scene of October — From Wounds to the Future"
An exhibition exploring the landscape of the October 1976 events, connecting generations through art, film, music, poetry, dialogue, and board games.
25 Sept — Closing Night and Awards Ceremony
The festival closes with the VIPA Film Prize 2026 awards presentation, screenings of winning works, filmmaker conversations, and a special documentary marking the 50th anniversary of the October 6th events, produced by The Isaan Record.
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VIPA International Film Festival 2026 runs from 11–25 September 2026 at Thai PBS, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok. Free admission — no tickets required. Full programme and screening schedules available at www.VIPA.me/VIFF2026
