Apichatpong Weerasethakul (b.1970, Bangkok, Thailand) is a renowned Thai independent film director, screenwriter and producer. Working outside the Thai commercial film industry, he is active in promoting experimental and independent filmmaking through his company Kick the Machine. He has garnered international praise for his feature films, including Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or prize at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival; Tropical Malady, winner of a 2004 Cannes jury prize; Blissfully Yours which won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard program at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival; and Syndromes and a Century which premiered at the 63rd Venice Film Festival and was the first Thai film to be entered in competition there.