The inaugural Pattaya International Film Festival 2026 (PTYIFF) is set to take place from 22–30 August, bringing nine days of film screenings, special events and international guests to the city.
While Pattaya is already well known for its beaches, nightlife and major sporting events, this new festival aims to showcase another side of the city by attracting filmmakers, actors and cinema lovers from Thailand and around the world.
If successful, it could become another significant annual event on Pattaya’s growing festival calendar.
What is the Pattaya International Film Festival?
The 2026 festival is being presented as the first edition of a newly reimagined international event, building on the legacy of the previous regional Pattaya Film Festival.
Organisers say the goal is to establish Pattaya as one of Southeast Asia’s leading destinations for international cinema, with a programme featuring films from multiple countries and genres, alongside cultural activities and industry events.
The festival is also supported by initiatives such as the Pattaya International Youth Film Festival, reflecting broader efforts to develop Pattaya as a centre for film, creativity and cultural events.
Unlike many local festivals, this is designed to appeal to both filmmakers and the general public.
When is it?
Dates: 22–30 August 2026
The festival runs for nine days, giving both residents and visitors plenty of opportunities to catch screenings or attend special events throughout the week.
Where will it be held?
Screenings will take place at SFX Cinema at Terminal 21 Pattaya, with the Sanctuary of Truth also confirmed as a featured screening venue.
Free film screenings will be held at SFX Cinema during the festival, while additional screenings and events will take place at other locations around Pattaya.
The Opening Ceremony and Red Carpet will be held at the Colosseum Cabaret Show on August 28, with further venues hosting special events throughout the festival.
What can visitors expect?
Even if you’re not a serious film enthusiast, there are several reasons the festival may be worth checking out.
International films
Dozens of films from around the world will be screened across multiple genres, giving audiences the chance to see productions that may never receive a commercial cinema release in Thailand.
This year the festival will feature seven feature films and 46 short films.
Feature films:
- Papaya: Brazil 2026 — 74 min — Director Priscilla Kellen
- The Birthday Party: Greece 2025 — 100 min — Director Miguel Ángel Jimenéz
- Tristan Forever: Switzerland 2026 — 89 min — Directors Tobias Nölle, Loran Bonnardot
- Mergen: Kyrgyzstan 2025 — 105 min — Director Chingiz Narynov
- Melt: Austria 2025 — 127 min — Director Nikolaus Geyrhalter
- Chimney Town: Frozen in Time: Japan 2026 — 98 min — Director Yusuke Hirota
- Heals: Thailand 2025 — 102 min — Director Pailin Wedel
Short films
46 short films have been selected, with categories including documentary, animation, student films, music videos and Chinese-language shorts.
Filmmaker Q&A sessions
One of the more interesting aspects of the festival is that many screenings will be followed by live question-and-answer sessions with the filmmakers themselves.
This gives visitors the opportunity to hear directly from directors, producers and actors about the stories behind their films.
Opening Ceremony & Red Carpet
The festival’s Opening Ceremony, Red Carpet and Awards Ceremony will take place on August 28 at the Colosseum Cabaret Show in Pattaya.
The event will feature members of Thailand’s film industry and invited international guests.
Legendary Thai actress Patravadi “Lek” Mejudhon, recently seen by many international viewers in The White Lotus, is scheduled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beach Screenings & Other Events
The festival will extend beyond conventional cinema screenings, with a number of public events taking place around Pattaya during the nine-day programme.
From August 28–30, films will be shown on the big screen at Pattaya Central Beach, alongside a creative market and other beachside activities.
On August 29, the Behind The Scenes Film Production Showcase will offer visitors an opportunity to experience the film production process at IFF Jomtien Hall.
On August 29–30, discussions with well-known film directors will take place at Waterfall Plaza at Royal Garden Plaza, under the theme “Telling Stories with Cinematic Power.”
These events help make the festival more than simply a series of films shown in cinemas.
Films at the Sanctuary of Truth
One of the more unusual aspects of the 2026 festival will be its choice of screening locations.
The magnificent Sanctuary of Truth will be used as one of the festival’s featured film venues, hosting a selection of films celebrating world cultural heritage and horror.
The setting seems particularly appropriate for the latter. The spectacular wooden landmark has itself appeared on screen, serving as a filming location for Netflix’s Money Heist Season 3.
Full details of the films and screening times at the Sanctuary of Truth have yet to be announced, but the prospect of watching a film in one of Pattaya’s most distinctive landmarks is certainly one of the more intriguing elements of this year’s festival.
Pattaya International Youth Film Festival
Running alongside the main festival is the Pattaya International Youth Film Festival 2026 (PIYFF), which gives Thai and international student filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work.
This year’s competition includes three categories:
- Short Film (up to 7 minutes)
- Vertical Film (up to 5 minutes)
- AI Film (up to 3 minutes)
Festival activities include screenings, workshops, an outdoor screening on Pattaya Beach and academic discussions. Student filmmakers can submit entries until 20 August 2026.
Who is the festival for?
While the festival naturally targets filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts, many events should also appeal to casual visitors looking for something different during their stay in Pattaya.
If you enjoy international films, independent cinema or simply experiencing new events, this could be an enjoyable addition to your itinerary.
Even attending a single screening or special event would offer a very different perspective on Pattaya from the city’s more familiar attractions.
Pattaya’s Changing Image
The Pattaya International Film Festival also reflects a broader trend that has become increasingly visible over recent years.
This isn’t simply a week of films being shown in Pattaya. The organisers are explicitly positioning the event around art, culture, tourism and the creative economy, with the aim of helping establish Pattaya as an international film and creative city.
City leaders have repeatedly spoken about developing Pattaya into a year-round destination that offers more than beaches and nightlife. Alongside major sporting events, international music festivals, family attractions and cultural celebrations, the city is working to build a calendar of events that appeals to a wider range of visitors.
Whether it’s hosting international marathons, attracting global music festivals, opening new family attractions or launching events like this film festival, Pattaya appears to be investing heavily in becoming a more diverse tourism destination.
The Pattaya International Film Festival fits naturally into that vision by bringing together cinema, culture and international visitors in an event that has ambitions to grow well beyond its inaugural year.
Only time will tell whether it develops into one of Southeast Asia’s leading film festivals, but the organisers have certainly set their sights high.
Planning to Attend?
If you’re visiting Pattaya during 22–30 August 2026, the festival could provide an interesting alternative to the city’s usual attractions, particularly if you’re looking for something a little different in the evenings.
With free film screenings, beachside activities, international films, filmmaker discussions and unusual venues such as the Sanctuary of Truth, there are plenty of reasons for visitors to take a look at the programme.
For the latest updates, programme details and booking information, visit the official Pattaya International Film Festival website and Facebook page.