Having a close familial bond is a gift that can grow stronger with each shared moment—at least, this is the case for the slightly dysfunctional family at the center of How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. Directed and co-written by Pat Boonnitipat, the story follows a teenage slacker named M (played by popular singer-actor Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul) who devises a plan to take care of his terminally ill grandmother (Usha Seamkhum) in hopes to win her inheritance. 

The debut feature from Boonnitipat became one of the highest-grossing films in the director’s homeland of Thailand, earning an estimated total of $73.8 million globally. With such recognition and a well-received reception from critics, Thailand submitted the film as its official nomination for International Feature Film. In the history of the Academy Awards, Thailand has only ever submitted 24 films, but the country has never scored a nomination nor a spot on the shortlist until now.