Born in 1970, Bangkok. He grew up in Khon Kaen, a small city in the northeast of Thailand. He has a degree in Architecture from Khon Kaen University and an M.F.A. in Filmmaking from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has been making films and videos since the early 90s. He is one of the few filmmakers in Thailand who has worked outside the strict Thai studio system. Influenced by the avant-garde films of Andy Warhol and Bruce Baillie as well as director Tsai Ming-liang, Weerasethakul founded the Bangkok-based Kick the Machine, an artist-run film production and distribution company which focused on young experimental filmmakers. As co-director of both the Bangkok Experimental and Short Film and Video festivals, Weerasethakul has earned a reputation as Thailand’s leading supporter of new filmmakers.

» interview with Apitchatpong Weerasethakul from Isola Cinema 2004 festival