Bangkok International Film Festival

What the Bangkok International Film Festival is

The Bangkok International Film Festival (BIFF) is one of Southeast Asia’s significant film events, bringing together Thai cinema alongside international productions from Asia, Europe, and beyond. In 2026 the festival runs 10 to 20 September, spanning ten days of screenings, industry panels, and director Q&As across multiple venues in the city.

The festival has historically served a dual purpose: as a showcase for Thai films seeking international distribution, and as a platform for the wider region’s emerging filmmakers. Competition sections focus on Asian cinema, with special retrospectives and tributes to established directors woven through the programme.

What to expect

The programme is divided into several strands. The main competition screen features narrative features competing for the Golden Kinnaree Award. A separate documentary section runs alongside it, as does a short film competition open to films from across Asia. Out-of-competition screenings cover retrospectives and restored classics.

Screenings take place at major Bangkok cinemas, typically including centralWorld, Paragon Cineplex at Siam Paragon, and the House Samyan arts cinema. Specific venues are confirmed closer to the festival date on the official programme.

Industry events including masterclasses, panel discussions with directors and producers, and co-production forums are scheduled across the first week of the festival. Many are open to the public with registration.

Ticket prices for individual screenings typically range from 100 to 200 THB, in line with standard Bangkok cinema pricing. A small number of free community screenings take place at public venues. The full programme is published approximately four to six weeks before the festival opens.

Practical advice

Check the official programme early. Popular screenings and Q&A sessions with known directors sell out quickly. The BIFF website and Bangkok cinema booking platforms release tickets one to two weeks before the festival begins.

Getting around between venues. Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT serve most of the central screening locations. Siam Paragon and centralWorld are adjacent to Siam BTS station. House Samyan is accessible from Sam Yan MRT. A stored-value Rabbit Card or MRT card makes hopping between venues straightforward.

September weather. September falls in Bangkok’s wet season. Expect warm, humid conditions with afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Indoor festival venues are heavily air-conditioned, so a light layer is useful. Carry a small umbrella or packable rain jacket for moving between venues.

Language. Thai-language films are usually screened with English subtitles for BIFF screenings. International films are shown in their original language with Thai subtitles; English subtitles may or may not be present depending on the film. Check the programme entry for each screening.

Getting to Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand’s main international gateway, served by Suvarnabhumi Airport (long-haul and regional flights) and Don Mueang Airport (budget airlines). The Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi reaches central Bangkok in around 30 minutes. See our Bangkok city guide for accommodation areas and getting around the city during your stay.