Thai Film Director Association names its favourite movies

Three films from GTH Company and two independent movies Penek Ratanaruang's "Fon Tok Khuen Fah" ("Headshot") and Sivaroj Khongsakul' s "Thee Rak" ("Eternity") have been nominated for the Best Director Award and Best Picture prizes in the upcoming Thai Film Director Association Awards.

Of the 95 Thai film directors who are members of the association, 71 directors voted for the nominations while 24 abstained.

The three GTH films, "Suckseed Huay Khung Thep" (Suckseed), "Laddaland" and "Top Secret Wairun Phan Laan" ("Top Secret"), were all released in 2011 and won praise from local audiences. "Laddaland" was last year's top grossing movie while "Top Secret" was directed by the former TFDA president Songyos Sukmakanan who launched the TFDA awards last year.

Songyos stepped down from the post recently and Tanwarin Sukkhaphisit, who was elected president last month, has yet to formally take the reins.

This year the Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Dokdin Kanyaman, a veteran filmmaker who enjoyed success in the 1970s and '80s.

One of his best known films, "Kung Nang" starring Mayura Thanabutre (Sawetsila) and Sombat Methanee will be screened at the award presentations.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the first award winner, designed this year's poster.

The award announcements will be held on March 3 at Major Cineplex Ratchayothin at 2pm. The public is welcome and admission is free.

The Thai Film Director Association was founded in 2002. For more information, go Facebook/thaifilmdirectorpage.