S.E.R.C Reports: 90% Recovery of CIC Assets | APSARA Authority Provides Traditional Khmer House Designs to Angkor Residents | Kratie Province Celebrated as Cambodia's 15th Mine-Free Region | Hun Sen Set to Participate in Boao Forum in China |

Cambodia International Film Festival to Launch its 12th Edition

PHNOM PENH: The 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) will present films from 34 countries through a selection of 144 films, including short and feature films, documentaries, and animation.

From May 30 to June 04, the 12th CIFF will offer 140+ screenings and events, FREE OF CHARGE, all in major cinemas and some other fabulous venues in Phnom Penh including Olympia Mall, Legend Cinemas, Major Cineplex, French Institute, Bophana Center, Rosewood Hotel Phnom Penh and Cine Hub.

The red carpet for the opening ceremony of the 12th CIFF will take place on May 30th, while the closing ceremony will be on June 4th.Both events are by invitation only at Legend Olympia Mall.

The 12th Cambodian International Film Festival was made possible thanks to the Royal Government of Cambodia, especially the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, which has been working tirelessly to restore safety and space to the arts.

Hollywood star Matt Dillon supports CIFF as patron of this 12th edition. To reconnect with Cambodia, the American actor and director is bringing back the 2002 noir thriller based and shot in Cambodia, “ City of Ghosts”, as the festival’s closing film (invitation only).

Patron Matt Dillon quoted: “The CIFF is incredibly important for Cambodian filmmakers and filmmakers throughout the world; these are the types of festivals that are so important for the development of cinema. I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful film festival,”

The celebrated American actor and director will screen after 20 years his 2002 noir thriller based in Cambodia, “City of Ghosts” at the festival closing (invitation only).

“Making «City of Ghosts » being in Cambodia was one of the highlights of my life.

Cambodia is a very special place to me. It is such a fertile ground for creativity.

It’s really great to see that it’s really developed into a thriving film industry. I’m really looking forward to seeing what these young filmmakers come up with in the future, “he added.

Dillon's impressive filmography includes notable performances in Hollywood blockbusters such as Something “About Mary” and “Wild Things”, as well as critically acclaimed independent films like “Crash”, for which he won an Independent Spirit Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

CIFF Director Cedric Eloy expressed his appreciation to have Hollywood star Matt Dillon as the patron of 12th edition this year:

“Matt Dillon supporting CIFF is an acknowledgment of the creative potential that Cambodia has and an encouragement for CIFF to develop its key role in promoting and supporting Cambodian films and international collaborations,” said Mr. Eloy.

The program will include the last films made in or about Cambodia, and premiere of The Guardian by Jimmy Henderson, Onoda by Arthur Harari and the best short films in Cambodia in Short. Also daily special events highlighting some of the themes that will be explored in the upcoming 12th Edition of the festival. Some of the highlights include Masters Of African Cinema, Cambodia's cinema history, and films that were made around the period of the independence of Cambodia shown through different perspectives, including a restored version of a film entirely shot in Cambodia in the 1960’s and never screened in Cambodia: The 317th Platoon by Pierre Schoendoerffer, .

The program will also pay homage to Khmer dance and the late princess Buppha Devi in Xavier de Lauzanne’s film, The Perfect Motion, and Christophe Gargiulo’s film, Buppha Devi-The First Royal Apsara.

SCARY WORLD showcases highlights of horror films made both internationally and in Cambodia. Local productions like Sem Visal’s “The Ritual: Black Nun'', Leak Lyda’s “12E” will be screening alongside the recent Malaysian film, Eu Ho’s “Pulau The Island” and Japan’s Hideo Nakata’s “It’s in the Woods', and many more.

Alongside this, CIFF is excited to present 3 Australian cult feature films curated in collaboration with Richard Kuipers (film critic and festival curator based in Sydney). As a guest of the CIFF, Richard Kuipers will attend CIFF to introduce the screenings and describe the films in the light of the history of Australian Cinema. The three films include“ NEXT OF KIN” by Tony Williams (1982, Australia), “The Last Wave” by Peter Weir, and Undead by Michael & Peter Spierig (2003, Australia). The film "The Last Wave" will be opened by Australia’s Ambassador to Cambodia, Justin Whyatt. The film "Undead" will be screened as part of the first CIFF FRIGHT NIGHT, a special event featuring a horror film marathon that will run from night until morning on June 2 at Legend Cinemas in Eden Garden. A unique CIFF night dedicated to thrill loving Cambodian Youth.

“The Australian Embassy is very happy to be back as a sponsor of the festival—we’ve been supporting it since 2019. There is a fantastic line up of Australian films and talent in this years’ program. Whether you like good films or have a particular fascination with horror movies, I encourage everyone to come and watch” said Ambassador Whyatt.

In addition, the program introduces the newest Cinema Village that is to feature Pro Talks.

Cinema Village will be held at this year’s Cambodia International Film Festival! From June 2nd to June 4th, join us for an unforgettable experience in the world of cinema filled with film screenings, industry panels, and vendor booths showcasing the latest products and technology in the film industry.

CIFF also presents GLIMPSE OF CAMBODIA showcasing a selection of 11 films including “Three Brothers” by Chanrado Sok, “The Taste of Secrets” by Guillaume Suon, “The Donut King” by Alice Gu, “Year of the Rabbit” by Akira Morita, and “Sineang” by Claudine Ocampo. CIFF will also present ‘’Cambodia in shorts 1 & 2’’ which will feature the best short films set in Cambodia made by local filmmakers, Cambodia diaspora and foreign filmmakers from Cambodia, France and the USA.

STORIES OF THE WORLD is a collection of international films that have been receiving acclaim for their unique storytelling and cinematic excellence. Some of the standout films include Louis Garrel’s “The Innocent”, Mathieu Vadepied “Father & Soldier”, Michel Hazanavicius’ “Final Cut”, and Davy Chou’s “Return to Seoul”.

For this 12th edition, CIFF is very grateful to the British Embassy in Cambodia for their support. CIFF is also very excited to be presenting “We Wear the Crown,’ by Scottish director Benjamin Rigley and “ Sew to Say” by British director Rakel Aguirre.

“We [The British Embassy] are pleased to be supporting the Cambodian International Film Festival. I am enjoying Cambodia's amazing culture every day, so I am delighted that Cambodians will have a chance to experience a small slice of British culture through our films being screened during the festival. As we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of UK-Cambodia relations, the festival is an opportunity to celebrate cultural understanding between the two countries and I hope it will support the further growth of arts in Cambodia,” said Ambassador Dominic Williams.

This year’s official partners include the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, British Embassy in Cambodia, and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Beautiful Planet partners include Heinrich Boell Stiftung, Pulitzer Foundation, Wonders of the Mekong, and Oxfam.

Also, this year’s diamond sponsor is Khmer Beverages (KB), official sponsors include Galaxy Navatra, Legend Cinema, Westec Media and Bravo agency for Cinema Village.

This year’s CIFF Official Poster is based on an original painting by Nhem Sopheap, a female Artist based in Takhmao.

Cambodia International Film Festival is Cambodia's largest international film and cultural event. Initiated in 2010, it acts as a catalyst for the film sector initiative gathering more than 30,000 participants each year. CIFF also acts as a bridge between Cambodia and the world through the universal language of film and culture; CIFF also promotes the circulations of films within the region and promotes Cambodian productions.

For more information about the 12th Cambodia International Film Festival, please visit the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cambodiaiff.



Related News