Vientiane Times Tuesday December 12, 2017 15 Arts & Leisure Luang Prabang lights up for nation’s premier film festival In addition to the filmmakers representing their features, a bevvy of directors, writers, and producers from across Asean, Europe, and the also showed up to walk the red carpet, develop film industry contacts, and check out the rising regional talent.

Also spotted at Azerai was Jeremy Sim from the -based film fund Aurora Media Holdings, which will be awarding one of the Talent Lab projects the Aurora Producing Award of US$10,000.

A slew of stars milled about, posing for photos with fans and new friends.

Festival host and Lao pop star Audience gathered for film delights on opening night. Touly was all elegance in Times Reporters traditional dress, while The Anniversary star Vena Boupha Xaisongkham Induangchanty’s lighting up the city’s UNESCO discussions, while shared stunned in a gorgeous gown. “Raising a Beast” and Siege World Heritage Listed old town experiences and new ideas would Ledesma ’s “Cat Island” projects since Friday, with some 32 feature improve and inform each other’s The festival wraps up today after have taken home top awards at the films showcasing the best of ’ future efforts, he said. screenings, public discussions, 2017 LPFF Talent Lab, led by and Southeast Asian cinema’s and performances throughout the Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) held current crop. Some 22 of this edition’s 32 week. on the opening weekend of the feature films have directors, eighth incarnation of the annual Friday evening saw a lively producers, writers or actors in Two films per evening play near Luang Prabang Film Festival. opening ceremony at the festival’s attendance, all of whom the Handicraft Market from 6 pm, night venue at the Handicraft participate in Q&A sessions after with additional films screening at Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Market, overflowing with Lao the screenings of their films. The the Sofitel Luang Prabang during Myanmar, the Philippines and music and dance as well as festival’s intimate and casual daytime hours from 10am to 4pm. Thailand were represented as 10 insights aplenty in opening ambience makes it so that projects in various stages of speeches from Governor of Luang audiences can chat one-on-one Every day before films show there production received expert Prabang, Mr. Khamkhanh with their favourite filmmakers are performances of Lao music insights from TFI’s Bryce Norbitz Chanthavisouk and LPFF director between screenings. and traditional dance. and Molly O’Keefe in a pitch Gabriel Kuperman. workshop to see filmmaker’s The first night following the In keeping with LPFF’s visions come to fruition. The opening ceremony was also ceremony saw screening of the new commitment to accessibility, all attended by Deputy Minister of Lao film, “The Anniversary.” events are free and open to the Participating projects included Information, Culture and Tourism, public. Autobiography (Indonesia), Lady Mr Boua Ngeun Xaphouvong Directed by Chilasack “Jojo” Warrior of the Lumad and Director General of the Saysanith, the film had a (Philippines), Cat Island Department of Cinema, Mr successful commercial run in (Philippines), Doi Boy (Thailand), Vithoune Soundara. cinemas across the country upon Going Straight (Philippines), It its release in March of this year. Wasn’t an Accident (Myanmar), This year was exceptional and Luzviminda (Philippines), Raising many visitors were interested in After the film, an international a Beast (Laos), Song of the joining because there are so many film crowd joined a who’s who of Homeland (Thailand) and inspiring films and related national and regional filmmakers Wilderness (Malaysia). activities, Mr Vithoune told to head across the street and party Vientiane Times at the ceremony. on the grounds of the new Azerai The 2017 LPFF Talent Lab is part Hotel, the first location in a of the eighth Luang Prabang Film Filmmakers from different venture from Adrian Zecha of Festival (LPFF) that has been countries were absorbed in public fame.