PHNOM PENH: The Chaktomuk Short Film Festival (CSFF) hosted its first press conference on Monday, 21 November 2022, at Legend Premium Noro Mall, attended by the Festival Director, Sum Sithen, this year’s International Programmer, Ruth Sansitny, Legend Premium Noro Mall's General Manager, Phan Phou, as well as numerous other partners, filmmakers and actors.

This press conference was held in order to share the current milestones and features of the 11th edition of CSFF with all its partners who are supporting and anticipating this year’s festival beginning on 25 November.

Festival Director, Sum Sithen, highlighted five main features of the current edition, which were an increase in the number of local short film entries, an improved production quality throughout submissions, an increased number of awards and special mentions, special short films to open and close the festival, and a return to cineplex screenings.

Regarding short film entries, Sithen stated that 55 out of 185 entries in total were selected for competition and showcase. Most notably, the festival received 36 local entries this year, which is an increase of nine titles from last year, indicating that filmmakers in Cambodia have resumed making films after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sithen also noted an overall improvement in production quality in this year’s submissions, which includes two selected titles that have already collected multiple awards across the globe. He said this shows that young Cambodian filmmakers continue to polish their craft and produce work that is worth festival recognition.

A major update in this year’s edition of CSFF is the expansion of awards and special mentions. The top prize of Best Cambodian Short Film will receive a US $1000 cash prize, while second place will receive US $500 in cash and Best International Short Film will receive US $300 in cash.

Regarding special mentions, the Audience Award for Local Short Film will receive a US $300 cash prize, while the Audience Award for International Short Film and the Special Jury Awards for Local and International Short Films will receive certificates of appreciation as well.

The festival director also highlighted that the opening of the 11th CSFF will host a special screening of the internationally acclaimed short film ‘California Dreaming’ by independent female filmmaker, Meas Sreylin. The closing, in turn, will also feature a screening of the short film ‘Mother’s Tongue’ by Jean-Baptiste Phou.

All the short films selected for the festival will be screened in cinemas across Phnom Penh, including the Chaktomuk Conference Hall, Legend Premium Noro Mall, and Major Cineplex by Smart - Sorya. Sithen said these settings open the door to a new era of CSFF, which was unable to screen its program in cinemas for the past three years due to the pandemic and other logistical issues.

“I really admire the efforts of Sunflower Film Alliance for organizing this festival,” said Phan Phou, the General Manager of Legend Premium Noro Mall. “This year, I heard, despite the budgetary constraint, CSFF has reached its 11th year, the same age as our cinema group. We continue to promote both Cambodian short and feature films to be screened at our place.”

The 11th edition of CSFF will be officially held from 25 to 28 November 2022. For four days in a row, film lovers can catch screenings and attend festival events at the Chaktomuk Theater, Legend Premium Noro Mall, or Major Cineplex by Smart - Sorya.

This year, CSFF has been supported by the following local institutions: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Ministry of Information, Cambodian Children’s Fund, Purin Pictures, Legend Cinema, Major Cineplex, Sabay News, EAC, KongChak Pictures, Snaeng Studio, Frutati.

The festival continues to be open for further financial support to smoothly host its 11th edition, and is accepting donations through ABA - SUNFLOWER FILM ORGANIZATION - 000 804 814.

For more updates on CSFF, follow the festival’s official social media platforms:

• Website: http://csff.co
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CSFF.co/
• Telegram: https://t.me/csffkh
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChaktomukShortFilmFestival/