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There are 31 animated films, 85 international films and 169 documentaries competing in the 2024 Oscar races for Best Animated Feature, Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature, the Academy announced on Thursday.

In the animated feature category, contenders include “Flow,” “Inside Out 2,” “Memoir of a Snail,” “Piece by Piece,” “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rorhirrim,” “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” and “The Wild Robot.”

In the international category, the list includes “Emilia Perez,” “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” and “I’m Still Here.” The list of eligible films was reported exclusively by TheWrap in October.

In documentaries, the field includes “Sugarcane,” “Dahomey,” “No Other Land,” “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” “Black Box Diaries” and “Daughters,” among many others.

In all three categories, Academy members are given lists of films that are required viewing, but are eligible to view and vote for films outside their lists as...

The Asian World Film Festival (Awff) is delighted to announce the festival’s Main Competition and Short Film lineups; select, noteworthy screenings; special program highlights; and centerpiece film. Celebrating its 10th anniversary of showcasing Asian film from around the world, Awff will take place November 13-21, 2024, at The Culver Theater in Culver City, CA.

The nine-day festival will present narrative and documentary motion pictures and short films from 27 countries, including four that premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. More than 30 of the screenings will feature live Q&As with the filmmakers, talent, and crew.

Georges N. Chamchoum, Awff Executive Director, said, “We are very grateful to the filmmakers around the world supporting this year’s line-up with more than 60 narrative and documentary films. The Awff continues to open the window to the region of Asia as well to showcase AsianAmerican talent through our range of programs. I am amazed at...

Thailand’s horror studio Night Edge Pictures lands at AFM with a slate of horror and thriller titles set for 2025.

Warun Siriprachai’s debut feature How To Run Away From Your Million-Baht Debt is based on a short-video phenomenon on social media. It focuses on a man who defends his innocence when he becomes the key suspect after his wife and child are murdered in their apartment. It is produced by Panida Ngamsompong (RedLife).

There’s Something Wrong With The TV is a horror sci-fi about two teenagers who attempt to release a group of children trapped inside an antique TV set.

Khui-Taweewar Wantha’s Thai supernatural horrorDeath Whisperer 2 has scared up $22m (739m baht) to become the second biggest local release of all time.

It has also been sold widely around the world by Bangkok-based sales and production company M Studio, which is currently at AFM promoting new horror titles Ghost Board and Kogaloak Village.

Following its release on October 10, Death Whisperer 2 has smashed a stringof local box-office records – highest advance ticket sales of all time for a Thai film; highest opening day revenue for a Thai film, surpassing $2.4m (80m baht); and fastest Thai film to surpass the 100m baht ($3m) benchmark,...

Thailand has unveiled plans for its new content agency, Thailand Creative Culture Agency (Thacca), including a new international film festival, funding for local filmmakers and an exports push.

Also on the cards are the previously announced increase of Thailand’s location incentive from 20% to 30%; and the introduction of tax exemptions for cast, crew and media companies; along with new initiatives for industry data collection and workplace safety rules.

The new agency is being established by Thailand’s National Soft Power Strategy committee, but there’s a lot of bureaucracy to crunch through before it becomes a reality. Thailand’s government is planning to overhaul the country’s outdated Film Act, reform existing regulations for the content industries and establish new industry associations, so it may take until 2027 for the agency to be approved by the Thai parliament and officially launch.

However, Thacca already has some pilot programmes, which were outlined...

Kicking off Nov. 13, the Asian World Film Festival sports features from 27 countries with its main competition screening 16 films submitted for the international feature Oscar. The festival runs through Nov. 21 at the Culver Theater in Culver City, celebrating its 10th anniversary. More than 30 of the screenings will include Q&As with the filmmakers, talent and crew.

“We are very grateful to the filmmakers around the world supporting this year’s lineup with more than 60 narrative and documentary films,” says Georges N. Chamchoum, Awff executive director, said. “The Awff continues to open the window to the region of Asia as well to showcase Asian-American talent through our range of programs. I am amazed at the depth and breadth of the work on the Awff schedule this year.”

The festival opens with South Korean drama “A Normal Family” and closes with Filipino romantic drama “Hello, Love, Again.” The Centerpiece film is Wong Kar-wai...

Singapore’s Mokster Films is set to launch its first sales title, Eakasit Thairaat’s creature horror Halabala,at the upcoming AFM.

Starring ‘Ter’ Chantavit Dhanasevi and produced by BrandThink Cinema, the Thai-language horror follows a police officer who is exiled to a remote post deep in the Hala Bala rainforest. When a notorious criminal escapes from prison, he and an armed squad, along with a psychic medium, delve deeper into the woods to hunt the fugitive, despite ominous warnings to stay away.

Principal photography has started in Hala Bala, a rainforest and wildlife sanctuary situated in southern Thailand on the border with Malaysia.

Exclusive: Thai hit How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies will open across cinemas in the UK and Ireland on December 26.

Distributor Vertigo Releasing stated that the film will be released across 50 to 60 screens.

Recently selected as Thailand’s Oscar entry, How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies became a box office hit and cultural phenomenon across Asia, with the global box office currently reaching $50M.

How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is Thai director Pat Boonnitipat’s feature film debut and the film topped the domestic box office, raking in 334M Thai baht ($9.1M).

Outside of Thailand, the film has become the most successful Thai film of all time in Singapore and Malaysia. In Indonesia, the film received more than 3.5 million admissions, surpassing Korean horror film Exhuma (2.6 million admissions) to become the all-time most successful Asian film in the country.

Produced by Thai film studio Gdh, the film follows a young man,...

Korean-made crime-comedy-thriller “I The Executioner,” a sequel to 2015 hit ‘Veteran,” continued to top South Korea’s weekend box office. Its victory, however, was a hollow one as Korea’s overall box office slumped to its lowest level this year.

Nationwide, Korea’s roughly 2,500 cinemas together earned just $4.39 million between Friday and Sunday.

In several previous years, the month of October has been weak for cinemas in Korea, but the latest weekend total was a lower mid-October mark than either Covid-blighted 2022 or 2023’s recovery year.

The latest figures are in line with some of the gloomy discussion at the recently-concluded Busan International Film Festival, where the difficulties currently faced by theatrical cinema and the companies that supply and distribute it, were major talking points.

“I, The Executioner” earned $1.08 million in its fifth full weekend session, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). The...

Singapore: “La Luna”

“La Luna”, directed by M Raihan Halim, has been picked to represent Singapore in the best international feature film category at the Oscars. The Singapore-Malaysia co-production is a Malay-language comedy about a woman who opens a lingerie shop in a conservative Malaysian village.

The film had its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival last November in the Asian Future Section and participated at the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival. It was also the closing title at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and played in Shanghai earlier this year.

Produced by Singaporean firms Clover Films and Papahan Films, in association with Malaysia’s Act 2 Pictures and One Cool Film, the film stars Shaheizy Sam, Sharifah Amani, Wan Hanafi Su and Hisyam Hamid. It was released in Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian cinemas in November last year.

“La Luna” is M Raihan Halim’s second feature directing effort,...

Indonesian movies have sailed past the all-time annual admissions record in just nine months from January to September 2024, with new releases pulling in 61.25 million ticket sales, according to data from local box office analyst Bicara Box Office.

The previous record was set in 2022 when local productions racked up 58.16 million admissions by the end of the year. Calendar year total admissions for all films, including local and foreign, had reached 95.56 million by the end of September. Local productions currently have around a 66% market share.

Imajinari’s horror comedy Agak Laen remains the biggest film of the year, drawing 9.1 million admissions, followed by horror thriller Vina: Sebelum 7 Hari with 5.8 million admissions and Falcon Pictures’ Kang Mak, a remake of Thai horror comedy blockbuster Pee Mak, with 4.9 million.

Kang Mak

The next three films in the 2024 top ten are also local productions – infidelity drama Ipar Adalah Maut (4.8 million) and horror prequel Dancing Village: The Curse Begins...

Join us for an exclusive interview with director Pat Boonnitipat as we dive into the heart of his upcoming film, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, hitting theaters on September 13 via Well Go USA.

In this candid conversation, Pat discusses the film’s remarkable success and the inspirations that shaped its storyline. We explore the pressing issue of elderly care today and how it reflects in the characters and themes of the movie.

We examine the lives of the characters, including the captivating performances by Usha Seamkhum as Amah and Putthipong Assaratanakul as M.

Pat also shares his insights on the ongoing influence of patriarchy in Thai society and offers a nuanced perspective on the complex character of Mui—manipulative or misunderstood?

We’ll also touch on the film’s stunning cinematography and editing, showcasing the artistry that brings this touching story to life. Don’t miss this insightful discussion!

Thai production powerhouse Gdh 559 is to launch sales of The Red Envelope, a local remake of Taiwanese blockbuster Marry My Dead Body, starring Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul from blockbuster How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies and Pp Krit Amnuaydechkorn.

A first look at Billkin and Pp in the film can be seen above.

The upcoming feature is produced by Banjong Pisanthanakun, director of 2021 horror The Medium, who first saw the original Taiwanese film at the Hong Kong International Film Festival last year. It will be directed by Chayanop Boonprakob.

“After seeing the film, an idea for a Thai remake starring...

In zahlreichen Territorien in Südostasien avancierte „How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies“ zum erfolgreichsten thailändischen Film aller Zeiten und ist in Thailand bis dato der erfolgreichste Film des Jahres. Jetzt wurde er für die Oscarkategorie „Bester internationaler Film” eingereicht.

„How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies“ geht für Thailand ins Oscarrennen (Credit: Gdh)

Thailand hat Pat Boonnitipats Blockbuster „How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” bei der Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences für eine Oscarnominierung in der Kategorie „Bester internationaler Film“ eingereicht.

Der Film über einen intriganten jungen Mann, der seinen Job kündigt, um seine sterbende Großmutter zu pflegen, in der Hoffnung, ihr Vermögen zu erben, spielte in Südostasien und Australien/Neuseeland bis dato insgesamt 34 Mio. Dollar ein, ist der erfolgreichste Film des Jahres in Thailand und avancierte zum erfolgreichsten thailändischen Film aller Zeiten in Indonesien, Malaysia, Singapur, den Philippinen, Myanmar, Australien und Neuseeland. Nach Angaben des...

Thailand has selected director Pat Boonnitipat’s heartwarming blockbuster How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies as its selection to the 2025 Oscars in the best international feature film category. The choice was revealed Friday by the National Federation of Thai Film Associations (Mpc).

Co-written by Boonnitipat and Thodsapon ‘Ped’ Thiptinnakorn, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has become a cultural phenomenon in Thailand, earning more in the country than any film this year. Produced by the hitmaking Bangkok-based studio Gdh, the film has struck a chord with its irreverent and but ultimately heartwarming story of a scheming young man who quits his job to care for his dying grandmother in the hopes of inheriting her fortune. Key to the film’s local appeal, the grandson is played by pop singer-turned-actor Putthipong Assaratanakul (also known as Billkin).

How to Make Millions has earned $34 million from its theatrical runs in Southeast Asia and Australia/New Zealand,...

The National Federation of Thai Film Associations (Mpc) has selected How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies as Thailand’s submission for the Oscars’ best international feature film category.

Directed by Pat Boonnitipat, the film became a box office hit across Asia, with the global box office currently reaching $50M.

Outside of Thailand, How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has become the most successful Thai film of all time in Singapore and Malaysia. In Indonesia, the film received more than 3.5 million admissions, surpassing Korean horror film Exhuma (2.6 million admissions) to become the all-time most successful Asian film in the country. Netflix later picked up the film’s streaming rights for Southeast Asia.

Produced by Thai film studio Gdh, the film follows a young man, M, who moves in to take care of his terminally-ill grandmother in a bid to win her inheritance. M is played by top singer-actor Putthipong Assaratanakul...

The opening night of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (Biff) saw a starry audience of more than 4,500 guests in fits of laughter as well as reduced to tears at a ceremony tonight (October 3).

Staged under the illuminated roof of the Busan Cinema Center in South Korea, directors, actors and producers from more than 70 films in Biff’s official selection walked the red carpet, including Thai star Billkin from blockbuster How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, India’s Banita Das from Village Rockstars 2 and Filipino director Brillante Mendoza. Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae was also in attendance as well as Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomes,...

“Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae was among the Korean celebrities to lead out a red carpet parade on the opening night of the 29th edition of the Busan International Film Festival. The festival kicked off Wednesday with a bright show of international solidarity and a spectacular, if controversial, Korean film from Netflix.

The ceremony, held under the semi-open roof of the futuristic Busan Cinema Center, was buoyant and attended by 4,500 guests, masking some the woes incurred by the festival itself and by the wider Korean film industry. Officials at the event debuted a new slogan — “Vision of Asia, Ocean of Cinema” — reflecting the South Korean port city’s revised ambitions ahead of next year’s 30th anniversary edition.

Last year, internal divisions ripped the festival management apart, causing sponsors to flee and a reduced budget. While some of the wounds have since been healed, replenished sponsorship and city government funds...

“Harbin,” the South Korean spy action thriller that debuted this week at the Toronto International Film Festival, has been picked up for North American release.

Well Go USA, a specialty distributor which has a long track record of handling commercial film titles from Asia, has licensed the rights for the U.S. and Cananda. It has confirmed to Variety that it will give the film a theatrical release, but did not confirm a schedule.

Directed by Woo Min-ho, who previously helmed 2015 hit “Inside Men” and “The Man Standing Next,” the film dramatizes pivotal events in the arduous struggle for Korean sovereignty.

In 1905, Japan forced Korea to sign the Eulsa Treaty, stripping the nation of its diplomatic rights and reducing the entire Korean peninsula to a Japanese colony. By 1909, when “Harbin” begins, Korea’s small but tenacious Righteous Army militia is deep into a campaign of armed resistance against the Japanese.

A handful of holdover confirmed their resilience on what was otherwise a deathly quiet weekend at the mainland China box office.

Chinese crime actioner, “Go for Broke” (aka “Chong Sheng”) earned RMB35.4 million ($5.0 million) between Friday and Sunday, according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. That lifted it to first place in its fourth weekend of release and gives it a cumulative of $53.4 million.

“Alien Romulus,” which had topped the chart for the previous three weeks, fell to second place. It earned $4.5 million and became only the second Hollywood import title this year to earn more than $100 million in Chinese theaters (Behind “Godzilla x Kong”).

“How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,” the Thai-produced comedy drama, saw its week-on-week takings decline, but its chart rank improve. The film earned RMB18 million ($2.5 million) in third place, compared with $3.3 million and fifth place a week earlier. Since releasing in China on Aug.

“Alien: Romulus” claimed a third weekend win at the mainland China box office. And Thai comedy “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” climbed into the top five on its second week of release in the Middle Kingdom.

But those bright spots for imported titles underlined the currently poor performance of Chinese-made films which have dragged the Chinese summer season lower.

“Alien: Romulus” earned RMB63.4 million ($8.9 million) between Friday and Sunday, according to data supplied by consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. That gives it a total of RMB661 million ($93.1 million). The figure is higher than the $88.8 million the film has earned to Sunday in the North American market.

The running total is the second-highest achieved this year by any Hollywood film in China (behind only “Godzilla x Kong”) and has surprised many commentators. Just as surprising, it was achieved in August, a month which in previous years was considered to be...

“Alien: Romulus” has become Hollywood’s second biggest film of the year at the mainland China box office, following a strong second weekend hold.

The film picked up RMB140 million ($19.7 million) between Friday and Sunday in China, according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. That compares favorably with its $26.2 million opening weekend and gives it a cumulative of RMB523 ($73.7 million) since releasing on Aug. 16.

Among Hollywood import titles in 2024, the running total is beaten only by (Chinese-backed) “Godzilla v Kong” which amassed $134 million.

In less than two weeks, “Alien” has jumped ahead of a cluster of Hollywood’s other franchise titles and the $50 million ceiling that most have been stuck beneath. “Kung Fu Panda 4” earned $52 million in China. “Despicable Me 4” earned $56 million. “Dune 2” earned $49.7 million. “Inside Out 2” earned $48 million.

Imax reports that, of the latest weekend gross figure, the film earned $2.75 million on its screens.

"It's good to have you around. It's fun." Well Go USA has unveiled the official US trailer for a Thai dramedy movie titled How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies in English, originally known as just Lahn Mah in Thai. Made by Thai filmmaker Pat Boonntipat, this already opened in theaters in Thailand earlier this year, and it will be soon getting a US release in select theaters (this Sept). After his grandmother is diagnosed with cancer, a scheming young man moves in to care for her, motivated by a desire to secure her fortune for himself. Unfortunately for him, it turns out that winning Grandma's favor is no easy feat. This stars Putthipong Assaratanakul (aka Billkin) as M, Usha Seamkhum as Amah, Sanya Kunakorn, Sarinrat Thomas, Pongsatorn Jongwilas, & Tontawan Tantivejaku. I have to say - this film actually looks really sweet and sentimental, a nice comedy but also a...

Thailand’s biggest movie of 2024, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, will soon attempt a feat few commercial films from the country have tried before: conquering cinemas worldwide.

Produced by the hitmaking Bangkok-based studio Gdh, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has struck a chord with its irreverent take on the story of a scheming young man who quits his job to care for his dying grandmother in the hopes of inheriting her fortune. The film has earned $34 million from its theatrical runs in Southeast Asia and Australia/New Zealand, becoming the top-grossing Thai film ever in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Australia and New Zealand.

Producers revealed Monday that the film has lined up theatrical distribution in North America (Sept. 13, via Well Go USA), China (Aug. 23, Teamer Media), South Korea (October, Nk Contents), UK and Ireland (December, Vertigo Releasing), the Netherlands (Oct. 10, Vedette Film), Belgium (Nov.

After breaking box office records across Asia, Thai drama How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is set for theatrical releases in China, North America and Europe.

Release dates have been locked in China, where the film will open on August 23 through Teamer Media; North America on September 13 through Well Go USA; the Netherlands on October 10 and Belgium on November 13, both through Vedette Film.

Further releases are scheduled for South Korea through Nk Contents in October; the UK and Ireland by Vertigo Releasing in December; and for India through PVR on an unspecified date.

It marks the first Thai box office hit,...

Distributors in major territories including North America, China, the U.K. and South Korea have unveiled plans for theatrical releases of hit Thai comedy film “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.”

The film is the highest grossing film this year in its native Thailand and has already been released in parts of Southeast Asia. These include Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Australia, and New Zealand, where it has become the highest-grossing Thai film of all time.

Rights to the film have been picked up in China by Teamer Media. The company has set an Aug. 23 official release date, but has already earned $380,000 from two days of previews, according to data from Ent Group.

In North America, it has been picked up by Well Go USA, which is cueing up a Sept. 13 outing. “’How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ is an incredibly touching, universal story that transcends cultural and generational differences.

A popular Thai film is expanding its worldwide release after finding success at home and across Asia. “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” has already earned over $34 million globally despite just screening in a handful of countries so far. The story of a man caring for his terminally ill grandmother resonated strongly with audiences. Its universal themes of family and making the most of limited time have prompted many more international releases.

Produced in Thailand, the film stars singer Billkin alongside 78-year old actress Usha Seamkhum in her debut role. It became the highest grossing movie in Thailand and set records in other Southeast Asian markets like Malaysia and the Philippines. This prompted distributors in North America, China, South Korea and Europe to bring the film to their audiences as well.

“It’s encouraging that distributors want to show this movie to their people, even though Southeast Asian films...

Thai breakout hit How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has landed North American distribution.

The film has secured a theatrical release through Well Go USA, and in China via Teamer Media, South Korea (Nk Contents), UK & Ireland (Vertigo Releasing), the Netherlands (Vedette Film), Belgium (Vedette Film) and India (PVR).

The film will open in China on August 23, North America on September 13, the Netherlands on October 10, South Korea in October, Belgium on November 13 and UK & Irelend in December. The film’s release date in India has not been confirmed yet.

Produced by Thai studio Gdh, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has accumulated over $34 million at the global box office and stands as the highest-grossing movie in Thailand this year. The film has already taken Asia-Pacific box offices by storm, becoming the highest-grossing Thai film in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Australia, and New Zealand.

Directed by Pat Boonnitipat...

“Alien: Romulus” enjoyed strong Saturday and Sunday showings in Chinese cinemas to take a robust opening weekend win and stay ahead of Japanese animation title “Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Pentagram.”

“Alien: Romulus” earned RMB186 million ($26.2 million) over the Friday-Sunday weekend in China, according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. Some $5.02 million of that came from Imax screens.

The figures are strong considering that Hollywood titles generally have struggled over the past five years, compared with the earlier 2010s era when audiences were more in tune with western values and local films were weaker.

The figures are also strong considering that the “Alien” franchise does not have deep roots in China. “Alien Covenant” was released in June 2017 and earned $29.1 million in its opening weekend, before going on to a $45.5 million total. But 2012 predecessor “Prometheus” did not have a theatrical release in China.

“Alien: Romulus,” did not have things all...

Though it is too soon to determine her political agenda, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s new prime minister, has significant film industry heritage. And some family baggage to go with it.

Elected by parliament on Friday, just two days after a Constitutional Court ruling removed her predecessor Srettha Thavisin, Shinawatra is the country’s youngest Pm, the second woman Pm and the third from her family to hold the top political post. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, were both elected and then removed by military coups, in 2006 and 2014 respectively.

The Pheu Thai Party, which Shinawatra heads, came to power last year after the pro-democracy Move Forward Party dominated the May 2023 general election but was prevented by establishment forces from leading a government. (The same Constitutional Court outlawed Move Forward earlier this month and has banned its leaders from holding political office for 10 years.)

According to protocol, the parliament...

How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, the Thai drama that has proved a box office and cultural phenomenon in Asia, has been picked up by Netflix.

The streaming giant will make the film available across Southeast Asia from September 12 and in further countries later this year.

Marking the feature directorial debut of Pat Boonnitipat and produced by Bangkok-based hitmakers Gdh 559, the family drama stars popular Thai singer Putthipong Assaratanakul (aka Billkin) and Usha Seamkhum.

‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ producer talks Thai breakout hit (exclusive)

Since being released in April and May, the film has become the...

Netflix has landed the Southeast Asia streaming rights for Thai box office hit How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, set to premiere on September 12.

The streamer added that the film will also be available in more countries later this year.

Besides topping the domestic box office, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has become the highest-grossing Thai film to date in several countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and Myanmar.

Driven by the desire for a multimillion-dollar inheritance, a young man, M, decides to care for his terminally ill grandmother and moves in to live with her.

M is played by popular singer-actor Putthipong Assaratanakul (also known as Billkin), while his grandmother is played by relative newcomer Usha Seamkhum. In Thai, the film’s title is Lahn Mah, which means “grandma’s grandchild.”

Produced by Gdh 559, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was written by Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn and Pat Boonnitipat.

Grandma Going Wide

Global streaming firm Netflix has picked up rights to Thai hit film “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.” It will air in Southeast Asia starting Sept. 12 and become available in other territories later this year.

Produced by Gdh 559, “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” was written by Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, who apparently drew inspiration from personal experiences, and was directed by Pat Boonnitipat (“Bad Genius”). Since its release in cinemas in April, the film has become the highest-grossing Thai film to date in multiple countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Driven by the desire for a multimillion-dollar inheritance, M (Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul) puts aside his dreams as a hopeful game caster to care for his terminally ill grandmother (Usha Seamkhum). But winning Grandma’s favor is no easy feat, as she proves to be demanding and exceedingly difficult to please. To make things more complicated,...

Malaysian drama Snow In Midsummer and Thai blockbuster How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies picked up the top prizes at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) on Sunday (July 28).

Snow In Midsummer won the Uncaged Award for best feature film in the festival’s main competition.

Directed by Chong Keat Aun, it is the first film to directly tackle the violent race riots that took place in Kuala Lumpur on May 13, 1969 and make it past Malaysian censors but with a string of cuts. Accepting the award in New York, the filmmaker said he hoped it would help...

Exclusive: Powerhouse Thai producer Vanridee Pongsittisak has unveiled more details about Bask Production House — a new collaboration formed between Bangkok-based studio Gdh and Bad Genius director Baz Poonpiriya, which was unveiled earlier this month.

Poonpiriya is set to direct Bask’s first two projects, which have Fast & Furious films director Justin Lin and Anita Gou from Kindred Spirit (The Farewell) onboard as producers.

Lin’s project already has a completed screenplay and is in the process of securing investment, while Gou’s project is currently in the script development stage.

“Baz had been developing a project but due to a scheduling conflict, I couldn’t help produce the film,” said Pongsittisak in an exclusive interview with Deadline. “Baz then reached out to Justin Lin for the project, because Baz admires his talent and vision. After reading the screenplay, Justin found it to be a great fit for him as well.

The Thai-produced hit comedy “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” was Sunday announced as the winner of the audience prize at the New York Asian Film Festival.

The film, from Thai director Pat Boonnitipat, stars ‘Billkin’ Putthipong Assaratanakul as a slacker who quits his job to become his grandma’s caregiver. It has claimed box office records for a Thai or Asian film in multiple Asian territories. Both director and star were present at the festival.

“The 23rd edition of the New York Asian Film Festival has shattered expectations, proving that Asian cinema’s appeal continues to surge across the city. With our expanded lineup of nearly 100 films across 5 screens, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented 33% growth in both attendance and box office revenue. One-third of our screenings sold out within days, a testament to New Yorkers’ appetite for diverse storytelling. Our expanded Thai and Taiwanese sections were particular highlights,...

Nattawut ‘Baz’ Poonpiriya, the director of 2017 pan-Asian hit “Bad Genius,” has joined forces with Thailand’s leading film studio GDH559 to launch new production company Bask.

Gdh, a subsidiary of the Gmm group, is currently riding another wave of regional success with comedy-drama “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” breaking box office records in Southeast Asian countries including Singapore, Vietnam and The Philippines. Earlier this week, the company unveiled a powerful production and releasing slate covering the next year.

Co-headed by Gdh producer, Vanridee Pongsittisak, Bask says it will work alongside top U.S.-based producers to offer a fresh perspective on Thai and Asian culture for global audiences.

“My goal is to be the international voice that speaks louder,” said Poonpiriya. “With a louder and authentic voice, it means that I can speak for more people and to more people.”

Pongsittisak said: “Not only will we bring a...

Bad Genius director Baz Poonpiriya and Thailand’s Gdh 559 have partnered to form strategic creative house Bask for global productions, partnering with Justin Lin as executive producer and Anita Gou as producer.

The new venture aims to offer a fresh perspective on Thai and Asian culture for global audiences. “Our mission is to support Asian filmmakers, giving a voice to those who are often overlooked and making sure they are heard and seen both behind and in front of the camera,” Baz told Screen.

On its debut slate are a string of in-development projects with Thai filmmakers attached. The...

Hot from its multi-territory success with “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,” Thai film studio GDH559 set out a powerful production and releasing slate for the coming year. Significantly, four of its next five releases have LGBT themes.

Released in April, “Grandma” earned THB339 million ($9.4 million) in Thailand. It has since broken records in five countries for Thai-language film on its way to earning a cumulative THB1.2 billion ($33.3 million) and plays imminently at the New York Asian Film Festival.

Nearest to release, and most accomplished-looking of the new slate, is “The Paradise of Thorns,” a comedy drama about a man who is cut out of his lover’s durian farm inheritance due to a lack of paperwork and hereto-centric laws. A similar theme was explored earlier this year in Ray Yeung’s Teddy Award-winning drama “All Shall Be Well,” which told its story from a lesbian point of view...

Riding high on the box office success of How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, Thai production house Gdh 559 has unveiled details of five upcoming features as part of 10-strong film slate.

Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul, the breakout star of box office phenomenon How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, will head the cast of comedy Project Red alongside Pp Krit Amnuaydechkorn. It reunites the two actors for the first time since hit Bl (boys’ love) TV series I Told Sunset About You and sequel I Promised You The Moon.

Both stars are also partnering with Gdh through their respective...

We say it every year, but that’s only because it’s true every year: The New York Asian Film Festival is the most fun you could have at the movies this summer. And that’s especially true this summer, as the festival — which proudly brings American crowds into “the trenches” of Asian cinema — is expanding its mission statement with a blockbuster slate that incudes an ass-kicking Don Lee sequel (“The Roundup: Punishment”), the world premiere of a new “Baby Assassins” movie, a Louis Koo/Sammo Hung crime epic fresh from Cannes (“Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”), and more can’t-miss spectacles that demand major international attention.

But Nyaff isn’t just growing bigger and wider; it’s growing deeper as well. The festival’s 2024 edition offers one of the richest and most inclusive slates that Nyaff has ever assembled (no mean feat), with programming that ranges from hard-hitting Taiwanese social dramas,...

As Hollywood grapples with production delays, locally made films are boosting the industry in countries such as Thailand and Indonesia

On social media videos, audiences throw packs of tissues around the cinema halls. Tearful TikToks from across Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore show friends leaving the cinema weeping. Thailand’s latest hit film, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, has reduced audiences across south-east Asia to tears – and broken box office records.

The film, about a university dropout who offers to care for his terminally ill grandma, hoping to inherit her house, has reportedly earned 334m Thai baht ($9.1m) at the Thai box office and become the most successful Thai film ever in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

‘Millions’ Making Millions

The family drama “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” has become the highest-grossing Thai film of all time in The Philippines, distributor Westec Media claims.

The company, which released the film, does not quantify the receipts or the record. But there is little doubt of the film’s hit status across Asia. It has garnered THB1 billion (approximately $27 million) and achieved 10 million admissions, according to producer GDH559.

In Indonesia, where the film was released on May 15, it attracted 3.5 million admissions and became the highest grossing (non-local) Asian film in the country’s box office history. In Myanmar, following its release on May 31, has also become the highest-grossing Thai film ever recorded. It stands as the highest-grossing Thai film in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The heartwarming story follows a teenage university dropout (Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul), who quits his job to care for his ailing grandmother (Usha Seamkhum) to secure a large inheritance.

The viral How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies movie has fans asking where to watch it in theaters and when it is coming to streaming. 

Following a young man who moves in with his terminally ill grandmother hoping to get a piece of her inheritance, the Thai drama from Pat Boonnitipat has blown up online since its theatrical debut. 

The movie stars popular singer-actor Putthipong Assaratanakul and has become the subject of a TikTok trend, as viewers post themselves sobbing following the movie's emotional climax. 

Read full article on The Direct.

Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s fortnightly strand in which we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track. So we’re going to do the hard work for you.

This week, we head to Thailand and take a peak at a stirring, emotional film. How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has broken box office records around Southeast Asia, with audiences lapping up the soulful tear-jerker and TikTok playing quite the role.

Name: How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

Country: Thailand

Producer: Gdh

International sales: WME Independent

Distribution: Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Anz

For fans of: The Farewell, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s films

When Thai filmmaker Pat Boonnitipat...

The New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) has revealed the features that will compete for this year’s Uncaged Award and that Hong Kong actor Nicholas Tse will receive the Screen International Star Asia Award.

The eight-strong competition for best feature film at the festival, running July 12-28, will include the North American premiere of Thai hit How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, directed by Pat Boonnitipat.

The film, which ranks as this year’s biggest film at the Thai box office to date, is a family drama that stars popular Thai singer Putthipong Assaratanakul (aka Billkin) as a...

Kalki Trailer

The first trailer has been unveiled for “Kalki 2898 Ad,” the Indian sci-fi epic starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani. The film, which is directed by Nag Ashwin and backed by Vyjayanthi Movies, was teased at the San Diego Comic-Con last year. While a budget for the film has not been revealed, Variety understands that it is in the region of $72 million, which will make it one of the most expensive Indian films of all time.

In Hindu mythology, Kalki is the 10th and final incarnation of the god Vishnu who appears in order to end the Kali Yuga, the darkest period in mankind’s history.

The film is due a worldwide theatrical release on June 27 in the Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and English languages.

Thai Tearjerker

Thai film “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” earned S$1.16 million during its second...

Gdh 559’s How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, already the biggest film at the Thai box office in 2024, has now surpassed 2 million admissions in Indonesia, making it the second biggest Asian title at the Indonesian box office of all time.

The family drama hit the milestone on May 27 after 13 days on release through Indonesian distributor Falcon Pictures.

It is now the biggest Thai film, surpassing Thai-Korean horror The Medium’s 700,000 admissions in 2021, and the second biggest Asian film in Indonesia, only after Korean supernatural thriller Exhuma, which scored 2.6 million admissions earlier this year.

Given the momentum, Falcon is optimistic...

Thai production and sales company Gdh 559 has lined up a Cannes slate that includes a trio of directorial feature debuts ready for release this year, following the smash hit box office success of How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.

Boss Kuno’s The Paradise of Thorns is set in Thailand’s mountainous north and revolves around a gay couple who have built a life together on a durian orchard. When one of them dies suddenly, the other must fight to reclaim the fruits of his love and labour as they are not legally married.

The cast is headed...

Former WME Independent agent Nelson Mok is launching a new investment and sales company named Mokster Films, which will focus on projects from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Partnering with media executive Ricky Ow, Mokster Films will specialize in international sales for Asia-produced content, alongside the development and financing of films from around the region. Mokster Films will be at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, where it will unveil projects from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand.

Through Mokster Films, Mok will continue to work with WME Independent as a partner on a slate of current titles.

“Nelson is a leading exec in the Southeast Asian region with a great eye for material,” said WME Independent co-head Alex Walton. “We have had real success working with Nelson over the past few years and we look forward to continue the work in this new capacity.”

Joining Endeavor Content in 2019, Mok...