Thailand’s Silent Film Festival Returns for Ninth Year with Dutch Ensemble Debut

Thailand’s much-loved Silent Film Festival is set to return for its ninth edition from 5 to 7 September 2025 at the Sala Cinema, Thai Film Archive, once again inviting audiences to enjoy early cinema with free admission to all screenings.

A highlight of this year’s event is the debut appearance of The Sprockets, a seven-member orchestra from the Netherlands, led by pianist Maud Nelissen. While Nelissen has previously performed at the festival as a solo artist, this will be the first time she brings her full ensemble to Thailand—and their first-ever performance outside Europe. Inspired by the tradition of small orchestras that once played in grand cinemas during the silent era, The Sprockets will provide live accompaniment across the festival’s seven programs, performing together as a full orchestra for two screenings and in rotating lineups for the rest.

A Global Showcase of Silent Cinema

This year’s program spans an impressive range of international classics and rare treasures:

• Dutch shorts & experimental films: The festival opens with a selection curated by the Eye Filmmuseum, featuring the 1912 poetic short De molens die juichen en weenen (Windmills That Laugh and Weep), a glimpse of everyday Dutch life, as well as five hand-painted films from The Fantastic Flowers collection. The program concludes with La souriante Madame Beudet (1923), Germaine Dulac’s pioneering feminist film.
• Comedy classics: Fans of slapstick will be treated to a Laurel and Hardy showcase, with three of their most beloved shorts—You’re Darn Tootin’ (1928), Big Business (1929), and Liberty (1929)—known in Thailand as works of “the fat and thin comedians.”
• Asian cinema gems: A highlight is The Goddess (1934), the Chinese masterpiece recently restored by the China Film Archive, starring the legendary actress Ruan Lingyu.
• European expressionism & adventure: The line-up also features Paul Leni’s Waxworks (1924), a landmark of German Expressionist cinema, and Douglas Fairbanks’ swashbuckling epic The Black Pirate (1926), one of the earliest feature films to employ two-color Technicolor.
• Haunting finale: The festival closes with The Fall of the House of Usher (1928), Jean Epstein’s moody and surreal French adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale.

Celebrating Cinema History

By blending rare archival films with the energy of live orchestral music, Thailand’s Silent Film Festival continues to bring the magic of early cinema to new generations. With seven unique programs over three days, the festival reaffirms its reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s premier showcases of silent-era artistry.

Admission is free for all screenings, with advance booking available through the Thai Film Archive.