Editor

The 2nd edition of the Phuket Film Festival which runs June 4 - 13 on the beautiful resort island of Phuket, Thailand is pleased to announce its Opening Film will be the Asian premiere of Indian director Paresh Mokashi's debut film, Harishchchandrachi Factory. Director Mokashi will attend.

Harishchchandrachi Factory was India's entry to the 2010 Oscars in the Foreign Language Film category.

The quirky, light hearted film depicts the struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, while making Raja Harishchandra in 1913, India's first feature film.

The movie is one of several Indian movies the Phuket Film Festival will play as it turns the Spotlight on Indian Films which have recently reached international box-office acclaim.

"We're honoring India not only as their cinema industry turns 100 years old but because of the close relationship between Indian filmmakers and Thailand," said Scott Rosenberg, managing director of AMW International Co. Ltd. organizers of the Phuket Film Festival.

In November '09 Thailand was presented with the top filming locations award at the Locations World Exhibition and Conference held in Mumbai while Indian location shoots and film production in Thailand have increased from 31 in 2003 to 104 in 2009 (end of November) outpacing the traditional number one Japanese filmmakers.

Film Festival movies will be shown at the Coliseum Cineplex in Phuket Town while a "Meet the Directors" series will be held at an open air theater just now under construction at Cape Yamu.

For additional information contact:  mailto:film@phuketfilmfestival.asia or visit the Festival website for up-to-date film information http://www.phuketfilmfestival.asia/