Chinese films take center stage at 4th Cambodia Asian Film Festival

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- The fourth Cambodia Asian Film Festival (CAFF) is currently underway in the Cambodian capital, showcasing a captivating selection of movies from China and across the region.

Running from Aug. 24 to 28, the festival features roughly 30 shortlisted films screened for free at Fable Cinema and Legend Cinema Olympia. Selected from dozens of submissions, the lineup includes entries from China, Cambodia, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Nepal, with China contributing almost 20 of the featured films.

Speaking at an awards ceremony on Thursday evening, Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona highlighted the powerful role of cinema in global connection.

"Films serve as a bridge connecting nations and bringing them closer to the international community," she said. "In the context of rapid technological and media advancements, cinema has increasingly become an effective tool for promoting tourist destinations, enhancing their appeal, and encouraging travel."

Sackona praised the CAFF as a vital platform for celebrating Asian cinema and fostering industry connections.

"It serves as a meeting place for screenwriters, directors, producers, artists, and film professionals to exchange perspectives, build networks, and explore co-production opportunities," she said.

The minister emphasized that the festival strengthened regional friendship and cultural cooperation, expressing hope that the partnerships forged during the event would pave the way for future technical exchanges and creative collaborations, ultimately driving sustainable growth in the film sector while preserving diverse cultural heritages.

Pok Borak, director of the Department of Cinema and Cultural Promotion at Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said the festival created a vibrant atmosphere for the local film industry by bringing together outstanding films from across Asia to screen in Cambodia.

"We shortlisted about 30 famous films for this year's screening, and more than half -- nearly 20 of them -- are Chinese films," he told Xinhua. "This festival will boost cooperation between Cambodia and China, with a specific focus on the film industry."

Borak said that Chinese movies are very popular in Cambodia. He explained that this popularity stems not only from advanced technical production standards but also from compelling storytelling and engaging scripts.

"Cambodians really love watching Chinese movies," he added.

Ling Liya, a 27-year-old Cambodian actress, shared that she is an avid fan of Chinese films. She noted that screening famous Chinese movies at the festival helps bring China and Cambodia closer together.

"I like Chinese films because they reflect modern society, the economy, and education, while giving me deep insights into the culture," she told Xinhua.

"Chinese films are really popular and receive substantial support from Cambodian film enthusiasts," Liya added.