Published:  00:00 Wednesday - June 10, 2009

Two Vietnamese films will be screened at the World Comedy Film Festival in Thailand from June 10-16.

At the Asian premier of this festival, Hon Truong Ba da Hang Thit (Troung Ba’s soul in a Bucher’s Body) directed by Nguyen Quang Dung and Dich Cuoi (Laughing Epidemic) directed by Do Minh Tuan will represent Vietnam among 50 other films from European and Asian countries.

The Vietnamese contingent at the festival includes director Nguyen Quang Dung, designer David Minh Duc, producer Luu Phuoc Sang, model Giang Mi and cameraman Nguyen Tranh.

Many leading comedy actors from the US, Australia and China will attend the festival, including Golden Global Nominee Eric Roberts.

The 2009 World Comedy Film Festival features comedies with the theme of “A day without laugher is a day wasted –Charlie Chaplin. So Come Laugh with Us”.

Audiences will have the chance to see comedies produced during the Soviet era and will also gain an understanding of the way films are made in Asian countries.

Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories, including: the best world comedy film; best actor and actress; and viewer’s choice. Two prizes for short comedies will also be awarded: the best short comedy and the viewer’s choice.

Model Giang Mi and designer Duc will introduce the Vietnamese ao dai (long dress) during the festival and also take 1,000 photos in Thailand featuring the traditional dress. The collection of photos will be on display in Vietnam in September along with stamp and calendar collections also featuring ao dai as part of the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi celebration.

An opening ceremony will be held this evening at the Paragon Cineplex, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The closing ceremony will be next Tuesday at the SF World Cinema at Central World,

Thailand aims to use the World Comedy Festival to promote the country as a place where hospitality and smiles come naturally, and also to help boost Thailand’s imagine as an established industry hub for filming in Asia.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Federation of National Film Associations are working together to organise the event.