Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) Bangkok, February 25, 2026 – The second “Screen Romance” Film Festival, supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), was successfully held from February 21st to 22nd at the Chamchuri Lawn of the Krabi Marine Resort in Krabi Province.
This film festival aligns closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand's “Wonderful Filming Locations: Thailand, The Story Continues” project, which aims to establish Thailand as an internationally renowned filming destination and contribute to Thailand's soft power development. The festival also provides crucial support for Krabi's application to become a UNESCO Creative Cities Network “City of Cinema.”
The festival focused on three core themes: film industry development, the art of romance, and sustainable development, featuring a series of activities including open-air romantic film screenings, the Krabi International Film Festival Short Film Competition, masterclasses, and industry seminars. All activities adhered to environmental protection principles, safeguarding the ecological environment while driving local economic development through creative tourism.
The event also provided a learning platform for young people and media professionals. Masterclasses focused on content creation, acting fundamentals, and the entire film production process, while seminars explored topics such as why Krabi was chosen as the filming location for *Jurassic World: Rebirth* and the future prospects of film education. During the event, eight shortlisted short films were screened and awards were presented. A platform was also provided for local businesses to showcase their products, further enriching Krabi's creative industry ecosystem.
This year's film festival was spearheaded by the Krabi Festivals & Events Planning Company, in conjunction with the Krabi Catering Association, Hotel Association, Chamber of Commerce, and Youth Chamber of Commerce. It received support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Office of Contemporary Arts and Culture of the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Cultural Promotion, the Convention and Exhibition Bureau of Thailand, and various levels of the private sector.
Film tourism is one of Thailand's core strategies for attracting high-quality tourists, extending their stay, and boosting local revenue. Krabi, with its diverse natural and cultural landscapes including coastline, limestone mountains, mangrove forests, waterfalls, and cultural heritage, has attracted international blockbusters such as *Jurassic World: Rebirth*, *Fast & Furious 9*, and *Alien: Earth* for filming, continuously driving visits from film crews and global tourist spending, and generating stable revenue for local hotels, restaurants, transportation, and tourism services.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) stated that the "Screen Romance" film festival fulfills its commitment to enhancing the country's soft power through the "Filming Locations: Thailand, The Story Continues" project. Guided by the "New Thailand" vision, the TAT is deeply integrating film tourism with creativity, wellness, gastronomy, and sustainable tourism, continuously strengthening Thailand's international image as a world-class filming location, promoting high-quality tourism development, and creating tangible benefits for local communities.
Based on this project, the TAT is advancing a comprehensive film tourism promotion plan: producing international promotional content showcasing Thailand's filming locations and diverse soft power; collaborating with global media and streaming platforms; and conducting promotional activities in major international film markets and festivals. At the same time, the bureau provides support for overseas film crews shooting in Thailand, organizes study tours and exchanges for film and television professionals, opinion leaders and movie fans, continuously consolidates Thailand's status as a top global film and television shooting location, and expands the development space for high-quality tourism throughout the country.
