In honor of International Women’s Day on Mar 8, Bangkokians are invited to the first Fem Film Festival hosted by Converse and Bangkok Screening Room from Mar 5-10.

"The Fem Film Festival will be an opportunity to celebrate women in 2019 and will have a significant voice in raising awareness on gender equality issues through cinema," says Sarinya (Mew) Manamuti, founder and operations manager of Bangkok Screening Room. "We believe in the power of storytelling to share experiences, improving our perspectives and transforming lives."

The event will present 10 films—available with both Thai/English subtitles—that delve into the obstacles women have encountered and the success stories of women in professional industries, politics and other aspects of life.

There will be a talk with social critic and well-known Chiang Mai feminist author Lakana Panvichai, also known as Kham Phaka, Saturday, Mar 9 at 6:15pm. 

The lineup covers both cult classics—The Craft (1996), Thelma & Louise (1991)—and high-profile newer releases like Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018), a documentary delving into the life of the talented, sometimes controversial, British-Tamil musician Mathangi Arulpragasam, aka M.I.A; and I am not a Witch (2017), the story of a young Zambian girl who is exiled to a "witch camp." 

Showtimes for films will vary, with prices starting at B200 though some screenings are free with registration. Advance booking is recommended as there is limited capacity. 

Still on the fence about the film festival? Check out the trailers for Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. and I am not a Witch below. For a complete list of films and the showtimes, visit bkksr.com/ff-movies-en.

Bangkok Screening Room, Woof Pack, 1/3-7 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 090-906-3888. www.bkksr.com