BANGKOK (AP) — Religion can be a tough sell nowadays, so instead of waiting for disciples to make their way to temple, some promoters brought films with Buddhist themes to the heart of modern Thailand earlier this month.
The International Buddhism Film Festival was an effort by the government and private religious groups to popularize Buddhism among the younger generations.
Somchai Seanglai of Thailand's Culture Ministry said: "It's like prescribing medicine to children, you have to add a little sweetener there."
The movie festival was initiated by the California-based Buddhism Film Foundation and came to Bangkok for the first time this year since its debut in Los Angeles in 2003. It pulled in 3,700 visitors.
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