Bangkok: "Supamas" is pleased with the positive response to the measures promoting domestic filming over the past three months. Supamas chaired a meeting of the Film Board, expressing satisfaction with the positive response to measures promoting domestic filming over the past three months. Private sector companies have submitted applications for 74 projects worth over 3 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, chaired the 1st meeting of the National Film and Video Committee for 2026. Also present were Ms. Sabida Thaiseth, Minister of Culture; Mr. Pradermchai Boonchuaylue, Advisor to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office; Ms. Patcharin Samsiripong, Secretary to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office; and other committee members. The meeting took place in Room 301, Command Building 1, Government House, and was also conducted via Zoom teleconferencing.
Ms. Suphamas revealed that the meeting acknowledged the progress of measures to promote domestic film production in Thailand. The first round of applications, open from January 13 to March 31, 2026, received complete documentation from 74 projects, with an estimated total production cost of over 3,051 million baht. This reflects a clear positive response from the industry. Of these, 59 projects are expected to be completed and submitted for funding by May 2027. These include 9 films, 38 dramas/series, and 12 music videos, with an estimated total production cost of over 2,417 million baht. All submitted projects will proceed to the review process according to the criteria and mechanisms established by the committee.
Regarding measures to promote the outsourcing of digital content production to foreign companies, eight projects have yet to submit complete documentation. These projects cover animation, virtual production, visual effects, and post-production work, with an estimated total outsourcing cost of over 87.94 million baht. This reflects foreign confidence in the capabilities of Thai personnel and studios in digital content production. All projects are currently awaiting the review process.
Ms. Suphamas stated that the meeting also approved a review of the structure of subcommittees within the National Film and Video Committee to align with the current roles, responsibilities, and structure of the agency. This includes revoking the appointment orders of five existing subcommittees and revising the composition of eight other subcommittees. The secretariat was instructed to coordinate with relevant agencies and prepare draft orders for the Chairperson of the Committee to sign.
The meeting also approved the composition, duties, and powers of the committee responsible for considering funding for each measure, in order to ensure transparency and efficiency in the review process, and assigned the Ministry of Culture to submit the proposals to the Cabinet for approval.
In addition, the meeting also agreed to add the name "Irish Film Festival" as an international film festival under Section 27 (4) of the Film and Video Act B.E. 2551, assigning the Department of Cultural Promotion to proceed with issuing the announcement. This follows the finding that the festival has been held continuously since 2017, totaling 7 times, with the objectives of education, cultural exchange and dissemination, promotion of the film industry, and building good relations between Thailand and Ireland.
"Restructuring the management mechanism and advancing support measures in both areas will help increase the efficiency of the film and digital content industries, create investment and employment, and elevate Thailand to become a potential international content production base."