I’ve just received word that Phuket will be holding its first film festival. The event is scheduled for 29 September to 7 October 2007. That’s a bit ‘early’ for Phuket - September is the wettest month on average - but apparently that’s part of the idea. Seeing a movie is certainly good way to pass a rainy afternoon in Thailand, especially considering the relatively plush theaters on offer all around the kingdom.

The venue for the event will be the SF Cinema theaters at the new JungCeylon shopping center on Patong Beach. After years of delays due to legal and financial problems, the huge complex is scheduled to open in time for the Chinese New Year in early 2007.

Unlike other film festivals in Thailand, the Phuket festival will be privately funded in hopes of avoiding some of the political interference that has plagued other festivals. Plans call for showcases of Vietnamese, Malaysian, Singaporean, German and Scandinavian films. They also plan to have free screenings of Thai films on the beach.

Mark your calendars.