Cambodia International Film Festival: Under the Patronage of Elodie Yung and Program Announced

Phnom Penh- The CIFF organizers are proud to announce that the festival returns for 6 days, will present over 130 films from 41 countries and gather in Phnom Penh over 70 filmmakers from 16 countries such as Cambodia, Bhutan, USA, France, Japan, Belgium, Brunei, Myanmar, Canada, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Germany, UK, Algeria.

This year’s event will feature more than 160 screenings and events in 10 venues around Phnom Penh.

CIFF is pleased to announce that Elodie Yung is taking on the position of Patron of the 8^th CIFF. Elodie Yung is a highly successful French-Cambodian actress starring in major roles in Hollywood movies and Marvel series. She supports CIFF as a bridge between Cambodian talents and culture, and the rest of the world.

Also one of the most popular Cambodian radio entertainers, MC, director will be taking the position of CIFF Ambassador.

Cambodian Film Highlights

Angelina Jolie’s “First They Killed My Father”, which received global attention; THE PATH by Jeanne Labrune, a French feature shot entirely in Cambodia, will premiere in the presence of the producer; SDECH KORN by Mao Ayuth and top Cambodian grossing film THE WITCH by Huy Yaleng.

Special events include a Tribute to veteran 60’s Cambodian director Ly Bun Yim and the premiere of the restored version of iconic movie 12 Sisters (Puthysen Neang Kongrey), in addition to two other of his films.

Documentaries on Cambodai will include the Gala Performance Premiere of Surviving Bokator, the first documentary on the revival of the Khmer ancestral Martial Arts in the presence of Canadian filmmakers at Chaktomuk Theater on March 8^th.

Other premieres will include Japan director Tatshuhito Utagawa’s Cambodian Textiles and Khmer Rouge’s related Angka directed by Neary Adeline Hay. Special screenings of A Cambodian Nature Film, a panorama on Cambodia’s natural heritage featuring the most unique footage of wildlife ever produced in the Kingdom in the presence of director.

International Highlights

Documentaries and a broad selection of short, feature and animated films from around the world will enrich the program this year again.

Focus on acclaimed Thai actor Vithaya Pansrigram will be presenting along with director Tom Waller’s The Executioner.

Highlights include a very rare Panorama of Bhutan Cinema gathering films from the most acclaimed filmmakers in partnership with the Bhutan Film Trust and in the presence of lead actor of the feature Prophecy, Loday Chopel.

A special selection of Outstanding First Films in the presence of Awarded French directors Lidia Terki and Morgane Simon. A special tribute celebrating Oscar Nominated Haitian director Raoul Peck including his latest film The Young KARL Marx.

World Premiere of Point Man by Phil Blattenberger, which was partly shot in Cambodia in the presence of US director.

Other highlights include a Welcoming world acclaimed documentary filmmaker Thierry Michel and a Window on the Mons Festival (Belgium), introducing a selection of excellent Belgium and world films in partnership with Wallonie-Brussels. The Visual Documentary Project, panel and networking workshops for Southeast Asian documentary filmmakers in partnership with the Kyoto Center for Southeast Asian Studies; Also Beautiful Planet, a selection on environmental issues that will include major international documentary films on climate change, wildlife, rivers, forest and a panel discussion with experts. Cartoons of the world and Discover the World programs will offer again a program of diverse and unique animated short films for kids.

Some moments at the press conference: