Cambodia & Culture: CIFF 360 brings the International Film Festival to Kep West

The Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF), in partnership with “Art For Kep”, is proud to present “CIFF 360” in Kep, a new initiative aimed at bringing the magic of cinema to Cambodia's provinces.

From May 23 to 25, 2025, the event will feature free film screenings and interactive activities in the vibrant cultural setting of Kep province, in the presence of filmmakers and special guests.

CIFF 360 in Kep will hold screenings in iconic venues such as The Wave @ Kep West and The Lounge @ Kep West Wellness Center during the day, creating an intimate and engaging atmosphere. The festival kicks off with an opening night screening on May 23 of John Pirozzi's acclaimed documentary “Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll”, celebrating Cambodia's vibrant pre-Khmer Rouge music scene.

The Cambodian-Canadian film Loot: A Story of Crime and Redemption, a powerful exploration of the restoration of cultural heritage presented in the presence of Cambodian director OUCH Makara, as well as Cambodian documentary shorts and films about Cambodian life by young filmmakers trained at the Bophana Audiovisual Centre, showcasing emerging talent in personal and diverse narratives.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, this pilot edition is organized by Centre Bophana, Art for Kep, Cambodia Film Commission, and Cinema Department & Cultural Diffusion. Official partners are the United Nations in Cambodia, UNDP, Kep West and Knai Bang Chatt. The event aims to foster cultural dialogue and strengthen ties between communities through the medium of cinema in venues across Kep, with the presence of filmmakers and special guests.

Cedric Eloy, director of CIFF, said:

"CIFF 360 in Kep aims to decentralize access to culture and use cinema to educate, inspire and connect communities. We're thrilled to celebrate Cambodian talent and spread Cambodian culture in this beautiful province."

Jef Moons, founder of Art for Kep, emphasized:

"Kep has always been a place of natural beauty and creative energy. With CIFF 360, we're turning it into a cultural stage where stories come to life, young voices are heard and the community gathers not just to watch films, but to be inspired by them."

Admission is free, on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will be available at the CIFF box office one hour before each screening.

For further information, visit www.facebook.com/cambodiaiff/ or www.aertforkep.com.

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The Festival program

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FRIDAY MAY 23RD

Venue: KEP WEST - The Deck

6:00 pm Festival opening evening

in the presence of the Governor of Kep

6:30 pm Opening film

DON'T THINK I'VE FORGOTTEN: CAMBODIA'S LOST ROCK AND ROLL

by John Pirozzi - USA-Cambodia/2014/105min/OV STE

Through the eyes, words and songs of popular music stars of the 50s, 60s and 70s, this film traces the twists and turns of Cambodian rock 'n roll. It includes interviews with surviving Cambodian musicians, never-before-seen archive material and rare songs.

8:30 pm Opening night - orchestra

SATURDAY MAY 24

KEP SAILING CLUB - The Lounge

2 : 00 PM Screening of “CAMBODIA IN SHORT” (90 min/OV STE)

Followed by a Q&A session with the directors.

A program of the year's best short films made in Cambodia, designed to promote emerging filmmakers and establish links with Cambodian filmmakers around the world. Several films in this unique selection have won national and international awards.

• DONUT BOY Bunthoeun Real USA 2024

• TOV ORT Chat Seyhak, Hem Chanthyda Cambodia 2024

• WING B John Pirrozzi USA 2024

• SING ALONG WITH ME Sinfiny Meun Cambodia 2024

• THE LITTLE GIRL WHO WANTED TO BE WHITE Alexandra Mignien France 2024

• GRANDMA NA WHO PLAYED FAVORITES Chheangkea Cambodia 2025

4 : 00 PM Screening of “ PLANTS OF LIFE ” (67 min/OVKH STE). In the presence of the directors.

This series of short documentaries, created by trainees in the Bophana Center's program “Training tomorrow's filmmakers and promoting academic and cultural exchange through Cambodian cinema”, presents the daily lives of Cambodians, with a focus on plants.

• JASMIN FLOWER Sev Vorn Cambodia 2025

• LOTUS LADY Chhan Sokna Cambodia 2025

• MORE WATER, LESS MONEY Leng Kimchheng Cambodia 2025

• WET HANDS Tha Sithen Cambodia 2025

Location: KEP WEST - The Deck

7 : 00 PM LOOT : A tale of crime and redemption

by Don Millar - Canada-Cambodia/2025/87 min/OV STE

In the presence of Cambodian co-director OUCH MAKARA.

LOOT exposes a criminal network that used child soldiers to loot Cambodian temples and deliver stolen antiquities to billionaires and leading Western museums. The film is part of Cambodia's policy of tracking down and recovering stolen artefacts worldwide, and demanding their return to Cambodia.

SUNDAY MAY 25

Location: KEP SAILING CLUB - Le salon

10:30 CAMBODIAN TALES by AKARA Studio (67 min)

in the presence of director Colin Tie and lead animator.

A series of animated adaptations of CAMBODIAN TALES in the form of short films.

AFTER THE FLOWER WILTED

Based on “Wilted Flower” by Nou Hach, the film depicts a story of heartbreak and hope. Noun, the mother, ends her daughter's engagement to a poor suitor in favor of a wealthier one, leading to tragedy. Struck by her daughter's grief, Noun turns to ancient rituals to combat the illness.

KOLAB PAILIN

Kolab Pailin, a classic Khmer novel, follows orphan “Chao Chet” who is sent to work in a diamond mine in northern Cambodia. In the midst of hardship, he falls in love with Khunneary, his employer's daughter, resulting in a story of love and triumph.

TEAV'S MOTHER

This adaptation of the Cambodian classic “Tum Teav” centers on Teav's mother, torn between her daughter's happiness and societal norms. Despite opposition, her actions reflect a deep maternal love, revealing the complexities of sacrifice and societal expectations.

2 p.m. FROM SOIL TO SOUL: CAMBODIA INDIGENOUS (103 min)

This unique film series offers a rare glimpse into indigenous communities, their culture and way of life in today's northeastern Cambodia.

Created by participants in the Bophana Indigenous Youth program, it presents stories of indigenous people whose livelihoods depend on nature. Their efforts to preserve traditions are increasingly challenged by modernization, leading to deforestation, lifestyle changes and other disruptions.

• CHANAGE Ye Leng Cambodia 2025

• KOK Nor Chack Cambodia 2025

• NATIVE INDIGENOUS COOKING

• Day Thean Cambodia 2025

• TOUM Sokhay Ka Cambodia 2025

• TOUNG HARNG Pech Kob Cambodia 2025