Phnom Penh: After a year of intensive support, the “Chakto” program is celebrating its success with a special event on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the French Institute of Cambodia (IFC). This festive evening will mark the official closing of the program and highlight the creations of the 60 young Cambodian talents who benefitted from exceptional mentorship.
Funded by the “Équipe France Création” Fund of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and carried out by the French Embassy and the French Institute of Cambodia, “Chakto” concludes with remarkable results. In partnership with Sipar Publishing and Avatar Publishing, the film production company Anti-Archive, Kongchak Studios, and the NGO Cambodian Living Arts, this ambitious project strengthened the skills of young creators in four key fields: comics, cinema, music, and dance.
The intensive training sessions enabled participants to broaden their sources of inspiration and develop their technical expertise while preserving their individuality. This approach fostered the emergence of original creations that continue Cambodia’s cultural legacy while embracing contemporary influences.
The workshops gave rise to a wide range of productions: 5 short films, 5 choreographic pieces, 6 comic books (the first of which will go on sale on October 3), 7 audio stories in Khmer, 8 songs, and 4 original soundtracks for short films. These creations will continue to circulate and inspire well beyond the closing event, leaving a tangible legacy for Cambodia’s creative ecosystem.
For one evening, the French Institute of Cambodia will transform into a true festival of artistic creation, where the public will be free to discover these works throughout the Institute.
“In just one year, the Chakto program has showcased the richness and vitality of the Cambodian creative scene. These 60 young talents, supported by French mentors who are experts in their fields, have produced authentically Cambodian works that demonstrate the excellence of this new generation of artists,” said Ms. Fanny Pagès, Deputy Director and Cultural Attaché of the French Institute of Cambodia.
This initiative is part of a long-term Franco-Cambodian cooperation strategy to support local cultural and creative industries and to strengthen artistic exchanges between the two countries. Cultural and creative industries are at the heart of France’s foreign policy. Through the “Équipe France Création” Fund, France supports numerous projects around the world. In Cambodia, it plays a leading role through the French Institute, a multidisciplinary cultural hub unique in the local landscape, contributing to the training and visibility of young artists in these rapidly growing industries.
Photo by: Supplied
