PhnomPenhPost-May 31, 2022
The Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) will finally return for its 11th edition from June 28 to July 3 this year following its cancellation due to the pandemic for the past two years. Appropriately, the poster advertising the festival will feature an original painting called Just Born by Battambang-based artist Khchao Touch, which is meant to signify the rebirth of the film industry in Cambodia after it was shattered and left in pieces for two years while Covid-19 took its toll, with the virus causing disruption to society that was unprecedented in living memory. CIFF has in past years been the most significant industry-driven film event in the Kingdom and one of the most prominent in Southeast-Asia, consistently. The organizers are hoping that it will be able to regain that position when it returns after two years of inactivity. Organized by the Cambodia Film Commission and the Bophana Audiovisual Resource Centre with support from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, CIFF’s 11th edition will present a total of 140 high-quality films from over 40 countries on six continents, including feature-length films, short films, documentaries and animated films, according to Bophana Centre’s website. Since its inception, the event has attracted more than 20,000 attendees. It also acts as a bridge between Cambodia and the world through the universal language of film and culture by showcasing local Cambodian productions and promoting those films’ circulation within the region and beyond. This year there will be a special added focus on Australian cinema to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Cambodia, according to the Bophana Centre. Read more at: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/lifestyle/cambodia-international-film-festival-returns-june-following-2-year-hiatus
