To adapt to the AEC, leading director Anixay Keola told Vientiane Times that Lao filmmakers can seek funding partners from foreign countries. The production of ‘Saynam Lai’ was a coproduction between Laos and Japan which helped generate more revenue in addition to the income from the Lao film release.

“At the very least, the country that is co-producing with us will try to release the movie in their country too,” Anixay explained.

He said co-producing with other Asean countries was slowly happening with Laos and Thailand having previously produced many films together. “Lao Art Media is preparing a movie with Brunei to be filmed in Laos,” Anixay revealed.

According to Anixay, the first step to target other countries could be releasing movies through Major Platinum Cineplex, which has many branches in Aseancountries. However, cinemas would be more concerned with ticket sales than supporting Asean films. They were unlikely to show Lao films that weren’t popular.

“Another solution to this problem is a joint effort by the governments of each Asean country,” Anixay commented.

In response to Anixay’s comment, Deputy Director of Advertising and Film Support Division, Dethnakhone Luangmovihane, said “Film Asean has been supporting the growth of Asean films since the organisation was founded in 2013.”

Dethnakhone was hopeful in the future, there would be cinemas just showing Asean films with profit not the only objective.

“Since the AEC, there is more awareness in terms of film festivals. Asean films are getting more coverage. For example, the upcoming Bangkok Asean Film Festival,” Anixay noted. On the other hand, he thought it was difficult for Lao filmmakers to target cinemagoers in other countries.

“I think it’s impractical to expect people to want to watch things that are not from their country. For example, Lao people wouldn’t want to see Vietnamese films, but perhaps from big-player countries like Thailand,” Anixay said. Therefore, his priority was producing films that Lao people would like and not worrying about targeting other countries.

Anixay plans to encourage staff from Lao New Wave Cinema to become filmmakers. The company will fund US$1,000 for each team to make separate short films. The short films will then be woven together to make one story. The teams have already come up with a concept of an “18- movie”, especially for teenagers.

Another distinguished filmmaker, Jear Pacific, is still interested in making romantic comedies because it’s his passion. He has produced two films in the genre which have proved very popular with the public.