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Luang Prabang Film Festival Announces 2017 Lineup

By
Laotian Times
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The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has announced the lineup for its eighth annual event, which will run 8-13 December 2017.

Official selections are made by experts and critics from across Southeast Asia referred to as “Motion Picture Ambassadors,” and represent a carefully chosen collection of what they believe to be the finest contemporary films from their respective countries. By identifying great curators with inside understanding of their community’s film scene, LPFF is able to produce a unique program that ensures the inclusion of the strongest voices from across Southeast Asia.

Not only is LPFF a celebration of the best of Southeast Asian cinema, but it has grown into a well-known and important forum for regional film professionals to network internationally and to exchange diverse ideas and experiences.

The feature films in the 2017 festival program are:

2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (Philippines)
The Anniversary (Laos)
Bad Genius (Thailand)
Blood Road (Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia)
Burma Storybook (Myanmar)
By the Time it Gets Dark (Thailand)
Cemetery of Splendour (Thailand)
The Couple (Thailand)
Die Beautiful (Philippines)
Fanatic (Vietnam)
Father and Son (Vietnam)
Heart Attack (Thailand)
In Exile (Myanmar)
In My Hometown (Thailand)
The Island Funeral (Thailand)
Jailbreak (Cambodia)
Khuannang (Laos)
Legend of the Broken Sword (Thailand)
Mind Cage (Cambodia)
Motherland (Philippines)
Ordinary People (Philippines)
Railway Sleepers (Thailand)
Redha (Malaysia)
Rina 2 (Brunei and Laos)
Santi-Vina (Thailand)
Saving Sally (Philippines)
Snap (Thailand)
Turah (Indonesia)
Unlucky Plaza (Singapore)
Wandering (Thailand)
Women of the Weeping River (Philippines)
You Mean the World to Me (Malaysia)

In addition to the lineup of feature film screenings, LPFF will also have four programs of short films, including a selection from Vientianale 2017 and Viddsee’s 2017 Shortee winners.

Audiences will also be able to attend four public discussions this year, including “Protecting Films in the Age of the Internet,” “Muslim Voices of Southeast Asia,” “Financing Your Non-Fiction Film,” and a discussion on Thai cinema for the festival’s SPOTLIGHT program. Now in its third year, the SPOTLIGHT program will this year turn to Thailand, with a full day of programming devoted to screenings and discussion of Thai feature films. Kong Rithdee, LPFF’s Motion Picture Ambassador for Thailand, will act as the program’s host, leading post-screening Q&As and a public discussion. In addition to being  a filmmaker himself, Rithdee is a film critic for the Bangkok Post. Among the films screening for the SPOTLIGHT is the 1954 classic Santi-Vina, which was recently restored for a screening at Cannes Classics in 2016.

Also on offer this year is the second LPFF Talent Lab for Southeast Asian filmmakers, led by the Tribeca Film Institute® (TFI). In keeping with last year’s program, TFI representatives will lead a workshop for ten filmmakers on grant writing and project pitching. After sessions of instruction, practice, and a pitch forum with feedback given by various industry professionals, one project showing great promise will be selected by TFI to attend the TFI Network market, which will take place in New York City at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival®. There, TFI will arrange meetings for the filmmaker with editors, distributors, and financiers. TFI will then mentor him/her through the completion of the project. All participants in the Talent Lab will also receive preferential consideration for any of TFI’s grants. Aurora Media Holdings has also formally joined the Talent Lab this year, offering the Aurora Producing Award of $10,000 USD to be used as starting funds for one selected project.

A new addition to the festival’s program this year will be a documentary production workshop organized by the US Mission to ASEAN and the American Film Showcase. Renowned Filipino-American filmmaker Ramona Diaz (Imelda, Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey) will conduct a five-day workshop with 12 participants from the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative. By the end of the workshop, four short documentaries will have been shot and edited in small groups. Diaz will also be on hand for a Q&A with audiences at the screening of her most recent film, Motherland.

Every year, the official film selections have directors, producers, or actors in attendance who participate in numerous festival events, including post-screening Q&As at the LPFF Day Venue located at Sofitel Luang Prabang. The final list of this year’s attendees will be announced in the coming weeks.

Visitors can also enjoy a photography exhibition from Philip Jablon, who, in 2008, began his Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project, creating the single most comprehensive collection of the region’s theaters ever compiled. The photos on display at this year’s Luang Prabang Film Festival will represent a few of the theaters captured during Philip’s month-long tour of Mon State, Myanmar, undertaken in February and March of this year.

All screenings and activities of the festival are free and open to the public.

Once again, the festival is proudly supported by its biggest sponsor, the Lao Brewery Company with three of their brands coming in at the Platinum Level: Beerlao, Pepsi, and Tigerhead.

Other generous supporters of the 2017 festival are the US Embassy Vientiane, the Asia Foundation, the Bennack-Polan Foundation, Chillax Productions, Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Laos, Exo Travel, Sofitel Luang Prabang, the Nam Theun 2 Power Company, Princeton in Asia, the Royal Thai Embassy Vientiane, Indochina Productions, the Delegation of the European Union to Lao PDR, DK Lao, Theun-Hinboun Power Company, NP Service & Design, and the Asia-Europe Foundation.

To book a trip to the Luang Prabang Film Festival, please contact Exo Travel at laos@exotravel.com. As LPFF’s Official Travel Partner, Exo Travel has exclusive access to preferential rates with LPFF’s Hotel Partners, which include: Apsara, Azerai, Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao, Cold River, Kiridara, Le Sen, Lotus Villa, Luangsay Residence, Maison Souvannaphoum, Parasol Blanc, Sala Prabang, Sanakeo, Santi Villa and Resort, Satri House, Sofitel, Villa Maly, Villa Maydou. Furthermore, booking with Exo Travel directly supports LPFF, as a percentage of each booking goes back to the not-for-profit project.

For more information on the festival, visit lpfilmfest.org or stay up to date at facebook.com/lpfilmfest.
All Luang Prabang Film Festival press enquiries:
Eliza Mott: eliza.mott@lpfilmfest.org / +856 20 59 70 11 59

LPFF Background:
Founded in 2009, the Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) is an annual celebration of Southeast Asian cinema held every December in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. LPFF is a not-for-profit project that fosters cross-cultural dialogue within the region and supports the burgeoning film industry in Laos. Throughout the year, LPFF organizes a range of cultural events and educational activities, from film screenings to workshops for amateur Lao filmmakers. LPFF also manages the Lao Filmmakers Fund, a publicly-generated granting system that helps local artists realize their film projects.

BCEL One Offers Alternative Way to Pay for 2017 Road Tax

By
Laotian Times
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The uncertainty and miscommunication regarding payment of the 2017 road tax may be coming to an end as BCEL offers to accept road tax payments through its popular online banking service, BCEL One.

A source from the bank has confirmed that as of October 30th, BCEL One app users will have the ability to pay for road tax fees conveniently through the BCEL One app. Though car owners won’t be able to avoid visiting a branch to receive the actual sticker, it may elevate bank traffic for those who have pre-paid the road tax. 

Drivers will have fees deducted directly from their BCEL account, they can then visit any bank branch, present their car registration and yellow book and walk out with the necessary road tax sticker.

Audit Uncovers Over One Trillion kip of Unauthorized Spending

By
Laotian Times
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Central Bank Warns over Fake Banknotes

Over one trillion kip of unauthorized state spending has been uncovered due to a 2015-2016 state budget audit.

Parliament has been notified by the state top auditor that more than one trillion kip of state spending has been spent without approval from the National Assembly (NA).

Funds had come from various sources, including revenue that state departments had collected but failed to relinquish to the state budget. Some funds were allocated for debt repayment but was spent for other purposes.  

The 2015-2016 fiscal-year budget report from the government suggested that more than 30.545 trillion kip of state expenditure, 28.12 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), was spent in the fiscal year.

However, during the NA’s ongoing ordinary session, the President of the State Auditing Organisation (SAO), Dr Viengthong Siphandone informed the National Assembly that, “the SAO found that an additional one trillion kip was spent without approval from the NA.”

Of this unauthorized spending, more than 688 billion kip was spent by central state organizations, while the remaining estimated 342 billion kip was spent by local departments. In addition, the auditors also discovered that state departments collected more than 689 billion kip of revenue which was not disclosed to the state budget as required by law. More than 516 billion kip was collected by central state departments with the remainder collected by local authorities. Money was collected from taxes, state asset fees and other sources.

The 2015-2016 fiscal-year budget report suggested that the government had collected total revenue of more than 22.287 trillion kip, which accounted for 20.52 percent of GDP.

Though Dr Viengthong did not explain what the funds were spent on, she did confirm to  lawmakers that the SAO found an additional 689 billion kip of revenue which was not passed on to the state budget. It was recommended that authorities in charge take action to claim back the revenue for the state budget.

To prevent unapproved spending in the future, the SAO President pressed on the need to fully observe financial discipline and resolutions of the NA regarding the state budget plan. In order to enable state departments to utilize money collected from their technical service fees for administration expenditure needs, Dr Viengthong recommended departments formulate plans that were accountable and seek approval from the authorities in charge.

Annual WIG Bazaar Announced for November 11

By
Laotian Times
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WIG Laos has announced that its annual WIG Bazaar will be held on Saturday, 11 November 2017 at the National University of Laos Faculty of Engineering, Sokpaluang Road, Vientiane from 10am to 5pm. The bazaar is an all-day family-oriented event, and provides an opportunity for new and old acquaintances alike to connect and enjoy a day out in a community setting.

In the preceding days, an estimated 200 stalls are erected under the trees and in the open spaces of the grounds, where local businesses, NGOs and diplomatic missions and embassies lay out their wares. There is food and drink from all over the globe, handicrafts from your favourite shops and social enterprises, examples of aid and development projects from all over Laos.

There are also live stage performances from schools, activity groups and entertainers from all corners of Vientiane.  There is a raffle, with some spectacular prizes donated by shops, hotels and businesses, and a special Children’s Corner offering fun and games for kids, young and old.

The WIG Bazaar 2017 is sponsored by a number of local businesses, including Gold Level: Embassy of Luxembourg and Phu Bia Mining. The Bazaar is also supported by the Faculty of Engineering of the National University of Laos.

To purchase a stall, interested parties can register at Joma Phonthan (Joma 2) on one of the stall sale dates on Friday, 20 October (9-11am); Monday, 23 October (1-3pm); Wednesday, 25 October (9-11am); Friday, 27 October (1-3pm).

WIG is also currently accepting donations of goods for the popular Second Hand Stall. Community members are welcome to donate clothing, books, bric-a-brac, household items, toys and more. Drop off points for donations are Common Grounds Café, Gringo’s Taco Bar, and Panyathip School.

WIG Laos, formerly the Women’s International Group, was founded in 1990 and is a voluntary group, administered and operated by its members on a voluntary basis. The group welcomes men and women of all nationalities to join together in Vientiane for a variety of social, welfare and cultural activities. The money raised from stall sales, WIG activities and donations from the vast majority of funds available for our welfare projects – in Education and Health – for the following year.  Traditionally, these have included subsidizing transport, food and clothing for surgical patients in Vientiane and at provincial outreach clinics, providing materials to build schools, and other educational initiatives.

Daiso Japan Enters Lao Market

By
Laotian Times
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Everyone’s favorite budget-friendly chain has just made landfall in Laos, opening its doors for the very first time to the Lao public at the beginning of this month. The monster discount brand originated in Japan and is known for quality household items at highly affordable prices.

Established in 1977, Daiso Japan has now expanded to over 3600 stores in 27 countries. With almost all of its items priced at only 18,000kip (VAT included), Daiso Laos is the perfect place to find helpful everyday products, gifts, novelty items and even seasonal decorations.  

Daiso Laos plans to open additional locations in Vientiane within the next 3 years.

Daiso Laos is located in Ban Wat Nak, Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital near MK Restaurant, they are open 7 days a week from 10am-9pm. Tel: 021-316316 fb: DaisoLaos

Red Cross Urges Public for Blood Donations

By
Laotian Times
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In an effort to secure an adequate blood supply for the country, Red Cross officials are urging people to donate blood due to the rising demand in medical situations.

According to a Red Cross official, in order to maintain an adequate blood supply,  at least 1% of the population in a country are required to donate blood. However, Laos falls far below par, with only .48% of the population donating.

Head of the Lao Red Cross National Blood Transfusion Centre, Mr Phengthong Banchanthavong, stated at a blood drive held in Vientiane, “The vision of the National Blood Transfusion Centre is to increase the number of blood donors to 1% of the population in the country by 2020.”

He added that every year, the target is ambitiously set at an estimated 60,000 people to give blood, however the reality is only 30,000 people give blood annually.

Blood donation is especially needed for patients with thalassemia, anaemia, dengue fever, accident victims, among others.

80% of current blood donations in Laos are contributed by high school and university students, civil servants, military officers and those from the business community.

For more information on blood donations, please contact : Lao Red Cross National Blood Transfusion Centre Phainam Rd, Ban Sisaket, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.  856 21 21 8922,  Fax: 856 21 218923

JCV Increases Healthcare Aid in Laos

By
Laotian Times
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familyplanning
familyplanning

Thanks to Japanese Committee for Vaccination (JCV), mothers-to-be and children under five in rural areas of Champassak province have seen improvement in their health due to having proper access to immunizations.

JCV has granted more than US$1.7 million in assistance to Laos through UNICEF since 2007, aiding hundreds of thousands of children and pregnant women.

Dr Somkiet Volalath, of the Champassak Provincial Health Department, has stated that the program has assisted those in the focus areas and is expected to decrease rates of maternal and child mortality. This would help the country eliminate preventable infections and diseases, specifically measles, whooping cough, and diphtheria.

Dr Somkiet, who is also the Vice President of the Provincial Commission of Mother and Child, explained that new types of vaccines have been developed to prevent other infections such as pneumonia and diarrhea as well.

He also stated that, “All children have the right to be protected. If children have not been vaccinated they are at a higher risk of illness, permanent disability, poor nutrition and even death.”

Child mortality rates in Champassak province, (neonatal, infant and under-five) are significantly higher than the national average.

Although immunization coverage for most essential vaccines (BCG1, DPT3, Polio, and Measles) is on par with the national average, essential maternal and child health services such as; antenatal care, postnatal care, delivery by trained personnel, and ORS/home fluids for children with diarrhea, reach less than 40 percent of pregnant women and children in Champassak province.

BCG1 coverage has been maintained above 70 percent during the 2014-2016 periods. However, there is a vast inequality between districts: where Phonthong district shows BCG1 coverage of 93 percent and Pakxong district report only 61 percent coverage.

Over 80 percent of Champassak’s population relies on integrated health outreach for accessing essential maternal, child health and nutrition services and information. This underlines the importance of ensuring adequate frequency and quality of integrated outreach services.

Less than 35 percent of villages are provided health services by district and provincial hospitals, whereas almost 70 percent of villages receive services by health centers.

Visit Laos Year 2018 Kicks off end of October

By
Laotian Times
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Coinciding with the That Luang Festival celebrations, government officials have planned several activities to promote the launch of  “Visit Laos Year 2018” on October 28.

In an effort to boost tourism and attract foreign travelers to the country, Mr Soun Manivong, Head of Tourism Promotion Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has stated that the Visit Laos Year 2018 campaign is scheduled to kickoff at the end of this month.

“Since tourism is a key world economic driver, recording rapid growth, countries have focused attention to the tourism sector as a main foreign exchange earner,” said Mr Soun. He added, “In the Lao PDR, the government has promoted and developed the tourism industry since 1989, contributing a constant growth in the sector.”

Laos has seen a 35 percent increase of foreign visitors annually between 1990 and 2000. Since then, this number has continued to increase moderately by 15 percent every year.

However, in 2016 foreign visitor arrivals witnessed a 10 percent year-on-year decrease, with 9.8 percent less foreign visits as compared to the same period last year.

Several national activities promoting Visit Laos Year 2018 have been scheduled. Meanwhile at provincial level, festivals, off road car caravans, art and cultural events have been announced to take place over the next twelve months by provincial governments.

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