Mbrella Films CEO on shooting in Thailand: "We are a very cosmopolitan company"

What is Mbrella Films mission and ethos? What inspired you to set it up? 

Our vision from the very beginning has been to provide producer–studio partnerships, access to our boutique film ecosystem, backed by our production companies and film studios.

We have always worked towards developing Thailand and Southeast Asia as a popular filming destination while supporting the development of the overall industry.

What international projects have you been working on recently, and coming up for 2026?

Just this month, two of our international productions, Price of Confession (Netflix) and Made in Korea (Disney+ & Hulu) were released on the streaming platforms. Joshua Dixon served as the production services Producer for both.

We are currently in post on a movie called Lighting From Fate which we shot in Myanmar about the devastating earthquake earlier this year.  We are also in prep on a psychological thriller called, Blood on the Ice, which will shoot in Wisconsin in February of 2026.  That film will star Kelli Garner. Adam Pray is producing. The film’s post production will take place in Thailand.  

Which filming locations are proving popular at the moment and why?

Thailand always has a lot of interest in its natural beauty, whether it’s jungles or islands and beaches, there’s never a shortage of breathtaking landscapes and scenery to boost the production value of your film. 

But in addition to that, Thailand has so much more to offer including Western Sets, Italian Villas, American Homes, Large Mountain Ranges, Manhattan-like Skylines, Rooftops, Helipads, Deserts and more.

Bangkok in itself is an incredibly diverse city with areas that give futuristic/Bladerunner vibes as well as tight closed in neighborhoods like Chinatown.

You can find a complete list of popular locations that features Thailand here.

Hellhound BTS flashback recall night rain shot

Have there been any recent developments with local studios, financial incentives, infrastructure etc. that are a benefit to incoming productions?

Mbrella Films has recently started providing cash rebate financing. Moreover, Thailand recently announced an incentive for VFX and animation rebate which can be quite valuable alongside our world class volume stages and LED walls. The rebate gets you 20% back with a minimum threshold of 5 million THB.

What should international producers know about filming in Thailand? 

I would say that the weather is not something to be afraid of. We shoot through the little rainy season all the time, it’s sparse. We bring in air conditioned tents and anacondas when it’s really hot. In Thailand, we can make anything possible.

What is the most challenging element of a production that you have been part of, and how do you overcome those challenges?

The most challenging things I’ve been a part of were all outside Thailand. After 15 years of international production, shooting all over Europe, Africa and the Americas, I never find the challenges in Thailand that I’ve found elsewhere. Everything here is set up to welcome you in and provide a very professional shoot.  

What are the biggest differences between feature film/tv and commercial shoots?

There isn’t much, both types of relationships are collaborative, with our studio offering creative input, suggestions, and problem-solving rather than simply executing orders.

What does Mbrella offer that makes it stand out from other production service companies in Thailand?

I think the biggest thing Mbrella has to offer is that we are a very cosmopolitan company and so we understand the different cultural needs and different ways of doing business with people from all over the world.  We work with Koreans, Americans, Emiratis, Indians, Italians, Germans, Chileans etc. etc. and we pride ourselves on going the extra mile to find common ground. Everybody makes movies a little different, everybody has different needs and expectations and we always find a way to make it work for everyone. 

What about filming in Thailand has changed since Mbrella opened?

We have helped to introduce digital transparency over the last 10 years, setting new production standards across the country. We’ve also grown into Thailand’s largest production company by investing in our people, now with more than 40 full-time staff and 20–30 projects produced each month.

What advice would you give to international producers wanting to work with Mbrella and film in Thailand?

Call us early! I always tell producers that I’m happy to read a script and start talking early in the process. I don’t need you to be certain you’re going to shoot in Thailand in order to spend some time on your project. I like to think that the earlier we can get involved, the more we can help.  Our company is involved in every aspect of the business from creative development to ATL packaging, financing and on and on. And we have a vast global network as well so even if you don’t end up working with us, maybe we can introduce you to the right people elsewhere.