PHNOM PENH: On 15th June 2022, The 11th Cambodia International Film Festival press conference was held on at Rosewood Phnom Penh and as Cambodia’s LARGEST INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EVENT is back.
The 11th CIFF presents films from 26 countries through a selection of 150 films, including short and features films, documentaries, and animation.
From June 28th to July 3rd, the 11th CIFF offers 160+ screenings and events, FREE OF CHARGE, in all major cinemas and other fabulous venues in Phnom Penh including Legend Cinema, Major Cineplex, Prime Cineplex, French Institute, Bophana Center, Chaktomuk Conference Hall, Rosewood Hotel Phnom Penh, Java Creative Cafe, and Factory Phnom Penh. The Red Carpet of the Opening Ceremony of the 11th CIFF will be taking place at Chaktomuk Conference Hall on the 28th of June, 2022.
The 11th 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.
CAMBODIAN CINEMA – FILMS MADE IN AND ABOUT CAMBODIA
STORIES IN CAMBODIA showcases highlights of Cambodian films. Rithy Panh’s “EVERYTHING WILL BE OK” which was awarded “Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution” at the Berlin Film Festival 2022, will be featured in the festival. There will also be films by Sarith Mang, COALESCE by Jessé Miceli (Presented at Cannes with the Independent ACID selection), NeangKavich’s WHITE BUILDING (Awarded Chhun Piseth as best actor at the Venice Film Festival 2022), as well as LD Picture’s recent features, SINGLE DAD and THE CLOCK (remastered).
CIFF also aims to connect with the Cambodian diaspora of filmmakers, and this year we are pleased to introduce Allison Chhorn, a Cambodian-Australian artist and filmmaker who will be presenting her award-winning film THE PLASTIC HOUSE for the first time in Cambodia.
Other Cambodian filmmakers whose short films have been selected for the CAMBODIA IN SHORTS program this year include Polen Ly, Sothea Ines, Chanrado Sok, Kongkea Van, and San Danech, and Lim Heng. CIFF will present over 50 short films by Cambodian filmmakers trained at the Bophana Center for the first time.
FEATURE DOCUMENTARIES include a very special premiere of ANGKOR: THE LOST EMPIRE (Australia) in IMAX 3D, Rithy Panh’s IRRADIATED – Awarded Best Documentary at the 2020 Berlinale, and the prestigious IDFA Vietnamese winner, CHILDREN OF THE MIST by Hâ Le Diem (Vietnam). During CIFF, MEKONG DOWNSTREAM, and KHMER! KHMER!, directed by Cambodian expert James Gerrand, premieres for the first time, bringing back incredible footage from Laos and Cambodia in the early 1970s!
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
CIFF will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Australia with this year’s country focus. A rare panorama of 16 Australian feature films spanning 1953 to 2022 will be screened at CIFF. This includes the cult classic, MAD MAX 2, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, and FLIRTING. In addition, the festival will show recently restored films, such as STRICTLY BALLROOM or STORM BOY, and recently released films like BLAZE and Australia’s Oscar entry for 2020, BUOYANCY.
The international short film showcases a selection of 15 films including INDIGENOUS SPOTLIGHT, a program from Australia’s first nations filmmakers in collaboration with Flickerfest.
Other international highlights will include this year’s Best Picture Oscar winner CODA (USA, France, Canada), and Denis Villeneuve’s multi-Oscar winner, DUNE (USA, Canada). The festival will welcome director Ashish Pant and his feature, THE KNOT (India), which has been selected for numerous festivals worldwide.
BEAUTIFUL PLANET
BEAUTIFUL PLANET is a project of the CIFF dedicated to environmental education and climate change adaptation. Cedric Eloy, Director of CIFF said, “Because understanding the issues is crucial for us to shift our ways and save the biodiversity that our Humankind needs to survive on this beautiful planet.”
This year, the BEAUTIFUL PLANET will focus on the “MEKONG DISCOVERY” and “INDIGENOUS VOICES”.
Over 45 films about community and education are highlighted by young Cambodian directors who document contemporary issues and challenges across the Mekong region. Topics include over 10 films on wildlife and biodiversity, over 20 films on indigenous populations, over 35 films on Cambodian communities, and over 10 films from Southeast Asian countries.
At Chaktomuk Hall on June 30th and July 1st, THE MEKONG DISCOVERY DAYS will feature the premiere of “THE VOICE OF MEKONG” with SAI, the BEAUTIFUL PLANET AWARDS, a variety of films, discussions, photo exhibitions, presentations, and a forum with prestigious partners such as OXFAM, WWF, WONDERS OF THE MEKONG, HBF, and SIPAR.
CIFF FOR KIDS
Kids and families can also enjoy the quality and diverse animation shorts in the CARTOONS OF THE WORLD Program, the beautiful Australian classic, STORM BOY (1976), and the upcoming MINIONS: RISE OF GRU.
CIFF COMMITTEE – Elodie Yung, Patron of the 11th CIFF
Hollywood star Elodie Yung, is returning as a patron for this year’s festival. Once a patron for the 8th edition of CIFF in 2018, the French-Cambodian actress has appeared in many television series and blockbuster films. Some Hollywood films include The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, G.I. Joe, and Gods of Egypt. She is best known for her role as Elektra in the second season of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series, Daredevil, and in the mini-series, Defenders.
She is currently the lead in the Fox TV series, The Cleaning Lady as Thony De La Rosa, a Cambodian doctor who comes to the U.S. for medical treatment to save her sick son and ends up becoming a cleaning lady for organized crime!
“I can feel that the Cambodian film scene is full of talent and passion. I am proud to be supporting CIFF, an outstanding platform bridging Cambodia with the rest of the world,” said Yung.
CIFF TALENT AWARDS
Because the CIFF awards were canceled due to the pandemic in 2020, this year’s ceremony will include that year’s winners. Actress of the Year 2020 will go to Sarita Reth for her amazing acting in MIND CAGE, HEX, and GREY FEATHER. Producer of the Year 2020 will go to Leak Lyda for LD Pictures in THE CLOCK. Best Actor 2020 will go to Heng Sarm for his debut performance in BUOYANCY.
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 20,000 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 circulation of films within the region and promotes Cambodian productions.
Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and endorsed by UNESCO, CIFF is organized by the Cambodia Film Commission and the Bophana Center, in partnership with UNDP, WWF, OXFAM, Legend Cinemas (Exchange Square, Eden, Olympia), Major Cineplex ( AEON Mall and AEON Mall Sen Sok), Prime Cineplex, Samai Square, FlickerFest, Java Creative Café, & Rosewood Hotel Phnom Penh. The 11th CIFF is supported by the Australian Embassy, The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Hanuman Beverages Co., Ltd, TV5, EAC News, Department of Media and Communication, Bayon Bakery, AirSeaLand Logistic, KUDU Studios, Ciné Hub, Westec Media, FT Gallery, NFSA, VDP, Cambodia Town Film Festival, Chavon Hospitality Group, and Katari Hotel and Sensory Park Urban Hotel.
Photo by: Tuy Engly (Sakura)
