What's On BKK: The Phantom of the Opera, Asia Collectibles Fest, & More

After nearly two decades of silence, the Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) is making a bold comeback, and it’s not just about screening films, but also reshaping Thailand’s cinematic identity and positioning Bangkok as Southeast Asia’s next major film hub. 

Running from Sept. 27 to Oct. 15, 2025, BKKIFF 2025 marks a new chapter for the festival, which last held its edition in 2009. This revival is spearheaded by the Department of Cultural Promotion (DCP) under the Ministry of Culture and the newly formed Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA), with a clear mission: to elevate Thai cinema on the global stage and foster international collaboration. 

The festival’s theme, "Power in Collaboration," reflects its ambition to unite government, private sector, artists, and audiences in a shared cultural movement. “The film industry is one of the core elements of Thailand’s soft power,” said Dr. Surapong Suebwonglee, Chairman of the BKKIFF Organizing Committee. “It powerfully conveys our stories, ways of life, culture, and creativity to global audiences”. 

BKKIFF 2025 promises to be the largest film festival in Southeast Asia, with over 200 films from more than 40 countries. The lineup spans features, shorts, documentaries, and animations, with a strong emphasis on recent releases, those that premiered within the past year, to qualify. The festival will also host masterclasses, panel discussions, and a robust film market, including over 50 booths from Thai producers and industry stakeholders. 

A major highlight is the Asian and Thai Project Pitching sessions, offering a total prize pool of US$25,000 to support emerging filmmakers. The festival’s opening ceremony on Sept. 29, 2025 at ICONSIAM’s Pinnacle Hall will feature the world premiere of Tee Yod 3 (Ghost Whisperer 3), the latest installment in Thailand’s highest-grossing horror franchise. 

Screenings will take place across Bangkok’s leading cinemas, including Major Cineplex, SF Cinema, House Samyan, and Lido Connect. For Gen Z and younger millennials, BKKIFF may be a new name, but its return signals a renewed commitment to storytelling, creativity, and cultural exchange. 

With over 100 short film submissions received within days of its open call, the excitement is palpable. 

Check out BKKIFF’s website and follow their Instagram for more information. 

Wonderfruit, Thailand’s biggest immersive and trailblazing celebration of culture, art, music, wellness, and nature, is celebrating its 10th year anniversary this December 11 to 15, 2025, at The Fields, Siam Country Club, in Pattaya, Chonburi. 

The festival makes its return with a lineup as bold as its vision—bringing together international headliners, diverse regional and Thai talents, chef’s table experiences, Thai Molam legends, wellness rituals, workshops, talks, and immersive art experiences at highly conceptualized venues built with circular design and sustainability at its core. 

This anniversary year continues Wonderfruit’s decade-long exploration of Mind, Nature, and Sound, acting as both a cultural playground and a catalyst for new ideas. They’ve just released their second Guide to Wonder, offering a glimpse into what’s to come for this year’s edition.

The Second Guide to Wonder: Wonderfruit 2025

Music Designed for Well-being

Through “Sonic Minds,” Wonderfruit is teaming up with MSCTY_Studio to create and curate soundscapes designed to improve how we feel. These will be revealed through live performances by Shook, Esla Hewitt, Scanner, and more and surprise installations in the most unexpected places, like in the forest, restrooms, or bridges. 

Molam World to the Global Stage

Molam World, known for its celebration of Northeastern Thai music, food, and art, is returning with performances from Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Rungfa Kulachai, Gilles Peterson, and Ustad Noor Bakhsh. This year, joining the Molam Bus is the Molam Theatre, a multi-purpose venue designed by PO-D Architects.

40+ Venues Come Alive

Beloved venues like The Quarry, Forbidden Fruit, Solar Village, Enfold, and an expanded Living Village welcome acts like FKJ, Kerala Dust, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Hatis Noit & Orly Anan, múm, Shubostar, A Guy Called Gerald, Pearson Sound, Tristan Perich & ensemble 0, Vanishing Twin, Dawn of Midi, DOTT, JPBS x DuckUnit, Red-o, Minyo Crusaders and much more. 

Making their debut this year is Baan Bardo, a kinetic maze with a multi-dimensional curation by Wit Pimkanchanapong, featuring performances, guided meditations, and Nepali Charya Nritya dance workshops. 

Thoughtful and Interactive Art Fills the Fields

With over 20 installations, Wonderfruit aims to involve art that encourages human connection. From Ab Rogers Design’s Social Interventions to Pinaree Sanpitak’s crafted steel and stone tables and Microtopia by TeaRoom, Wonderers are invited to slow down, connect, and reflect. 

Wellness with Roots

The Wonderness program offers 100+ unique workshops, rituals, and ceremonies—from quantum sound healing with Zen monks to Amazonian Sacred Hapé rituals—inviting guests to a variety of ways to feel and live better. 

Chef’s Tables & Culinary Stages

Michelin-star concepts, a Mediterranean-Thai fusion feast, and multi-sensory dining experiences are taking over the Wonder Kitchen and Open kitchen, while Pa Chan’s Life’s Market offers food, crafts, and culinary workshops from the five regions of Thailand. 

Founder ‘Pete’ Pranitan Phornprapha reflected on the 10th Anniversary of Wonderfruit by sharing, “Reaching ten years of Wonderfruit is a moment of real gratitude and celebration for us. It’s thanks to the shared energy, creativity, and care of our community—our Wonderers that we’ve come this far.” 

He added, “We’re entering a new chapter—one that moves beyond the idea of a once-a-year gathering. Wonderfruit is becoming a year-round cultural platform rooted in creativity and collaboration. We’re evolving The Fields into a living, working space for learning, experimentation and circular systems—from growing our own food, rewilding the land and hosting various cultural expressions that connect people to mind, sound, and nature.” 

Wonderfruit is opening its next ticket sale for 48 hours from September 2 to 4, 2025, at 6PM. Tickets will be first-come, first-served, with limited capacity. 

Visit the Wonderfruit website here, and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates.