BANGKOK?The Thai capital hosts filmmakers from all over the world in the 7th Bangkok International Film Festival.

Spearheaded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, the festival opens today and runs until Sept. 30.

The Philippines has three entries in the Southeast Asian Competition: Raya Martin?s ?Independencia,? Sherad Anthony Sanchez?s ?Imburnal? and Adolfo Alix Jr.?s ?Aurora.? Two are in the Southeast Asian Panorama category: Alix and Martin?s ?Manila? and Brillante Mendoza?s ?Kinatay.?

Last year, Pinoy films topped the Bangkok fest: Mendoza?s ?Serbis? was Grand Kinnaree (Best Picture); John Torres? ?Years When I Was a Child Outside? won Special Mention in the Southeast Asian Section; Francis Xavier Pasion?s ?Jay? won Special Mention in the Main Competition.

Mendoza is a jury member this year.