Becoming Human: Polen Ly's Debut Feature to Represent Cambodia at the 2027 Oscars

Becoming Human, directed by Cambodian filmmaker Polen Ly, has been officially selected by the Cambodia Oscar Selection Committee (COSC) to represent Cambodia in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. It is a milestone for a Khmer independent cinema scene on the rise, and for a film shot on a micro-budget in Battambang province.

Thida and Hai, amid the ruins of an old cinema in Battambang. © Anti-Archive — Becoming Human

A ghost, a living man, and a country in flux

Becoming Human follows Thida, the spirit guardian of an old cinema facing demolition, who must confront her existence as a ghost and the choice of rebirth. When she meets Hai, a living human with whom she forms a deep bond, their connection forces her to face not only her spiritual destiny but also the realities of a country undergoing profound social change.

The film's two lead roles are played by 15-year-old newcomer and dance student Savorn Serak and by Piseth Chhun, already recognised in 2021 with the Venice Orizzonti award for Best Actor for his performance in Kavich Neang's White Building.

A debut feature from an already-noticed director

Becoming Human is the debut feature film from director Polen Ly, following the success of short films such as Further and Further Away (2022) and his 2024 documentary Until the Orchid Blooms, which premiered at IDFA and won the grand prize at the 2026 Taiwan International Documentary Festival.

The film was produced by Daniel Mattes for Anti-Archive in Cambodia, joined and supported by executive producer Minri Media in Singapore and associate producers Kongchak Pictures in Cambodia and Momo Film Co in Singapore. Lights On is handling world sales. Sound post-production and music recording took place at Kongchak Studio in Phnom Penh, led by sound designer Vincent Villa. The film was shot by cinematographer Son Doan (Viet and Nam, dir. Truong Minh Quy, 2024) and edited by Kavich Neang, director of White Building (2021).

Shot entirely in Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia, Becoming Human was funded and developed through the 13th edition of the Biennale College-Cinema programme, organised by La Biennale di Venezia, with support from the Italian Ministry of Culture — General Directorate Cinema, and additional support from Chanel.

A scene filmed inside a former cinema hall in Battambang, at the heart of the film. © Anti-Archive — Becoming Human

Already a strong festival run

Since its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in August 2025, Becoming Human has screened at several major festivals worldwide, including Busan, BFI London, Taipei Golden Horse, Seattle and Shanghai. The film received two awards at the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival in Indonesia, including the festival's audience award and its top prize, the Golden Hanoman, while lead actor Piseth Chhun received the Best Actor award at the Asian Film Festival in Rome. The film opens in Cambodian cinemas nationwide on August 27, 2026.

“An honor and an inspiring representation”

Reacting to the news of his film's selection to represent Cambodia at the Academy Awards, director and writer Polen Ly said: “Having Becoming Human as the Cambodia submission to the Oscar is both an honor and an inspiring representation of local independent cinema. The film, even though it was made on a micro-budget, our small but loving and skillful crew shaped a healthy environment, which for me was an important force behind the craft of this film. This selection personally gives me hope and drive to continue telling more stories of the people, especially the underrepresented communities in my country.

Despite our small film industry, I hope that this also inspires the Cambodian independent film community to keep thriving.”

COSC founder Mariam Arthur highlighted the growing strength of the Khmer film industry: “I am really proud of Polen Ly as a Khmer filmmaker, and I also recognize the growth of the industry over the last decade. There were several films eligible for submission — usually there are only one or two. Notable this year were films such as Far Away, Close to You by Mony Kann Darung; Banh by Bou Panha; The Old Man by Chap Somchanrith; and Me and My Brother by Kou Darachan.” She continued: “It is a huge step forward that Khmer filmmakers are willing to invest in drama and romance genres. Maybe even more important is that audiences support these films at the box office in order for the industry to keep growing.”

Piseth Chhun and Savorn Serak on a Phnom Penh rooftop. © Anti-Archive — Becoming Human

The road to the Oscars

Each year, the Oscars are hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood. Each country may submit one film for the Best International Feature Film category, and only the officially sanctioned organization — in Cambodia's case, the COSC — may choose that submission.

Now that Becoming Human has been submitted to the Academy for consideration, it remains to be seen whether it will make the final cut. A shortlist will first be announced from all the films submitted worldwide, before a final five nominees are chosen, to be voted on by Academy members for the winning film. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 14, 2027.

For more information about the film: www.antiarchive.com/becominghuman, or contact Seng Savunthara (+855 78 830 007 — info@antiarchive.com). For more information about the Cambodia Oscar Selection Committee, contact Mariam Arthur (+855 12 54 30 74 — mariam.ann.arthur@gmail.com).