Cambodia Tourism Board Launches Official Location Scouting Program to Attract International Productions

For decades, Cambodia has played supporting roles in the global cinematic imagination — an exotic backdrop glimpsed in a single sequence, a mysterious canvas evoking lost temples. Those days are over. The country now aims to establish itself as a full-fledged filming destination, and it's taking action.

© Illustration éditoriale Cambodge Mag

The Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) has just officially launched its Location Scouting Programme, a strategic initiative designed to assist international productions — feature films, TV series, documentaries, and advertisements — in discovering the country's filming potential.

Five days offered to explore the terrain

The principle is simple, but the gesture is bold: to attract scouting teams, the CTB covers up to five days of on-site expenses during the location scouting phase. Specifically, this includes accommodation, land transportation, services of a fixer or local guide, as well as entry fees to national parks and state-managed heritage sites. Only international flights remain at the candidates' expense.

What the CTB program covers

• Accommodation for a maximum of 5 days

• Land transportation (driver included)

• Services of a professional fixer or guide

• Entry fees: national parks and heritage sites

• Assistance with filming permit applications

Applications are evaluated based on the creative and technical feasibility of the project, with preference given to productions with strong potential for local impact and international exposure. Selection is therefore not automatic: it targets ambitious projects capable of showcasing the country to a wide audience.

“We offer a simplified filming permit process, competitive production costs, and local teams ready to work at the highest level.” — Kim Minea, CEO of the Cambodia Tourism Board

From Angkor Temple to Global Screens

Cambodia is no stranger to the film industry. In 2001, the action film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie, propelled Angkor Wat and the Ta Prohm temple onto screens worldwide, generating a significant tourist influx in the following years. This precedent has since fueled a shared conviction among Cambodian decision-makers: cinema is an unmatched tool for national promotion.

In February 2025, Prime Minister Hun Manet urged the Ministers of Tourism and Culture, as well as provincial administrations, to make Cambodia an attractive destination for local and international productions. The CTB program directly aligns with this political vision.

FILMART, Hong Kong: Cambodia Makes Its Pitch

The program announcement follows a notable charm offensive at the FILMART film market in Hong Kong in March 2026.

A high-profile Cambodian delegation — including the CTB, the Center for Film Development and Distribution (CDDC), and several local production companies — showcased the country's assets during a seminar titled "Cambodia, Your Next Film Destination."

During the event, the CTB also signed a memorandum of understanding with Oceanus Media Global (OMG Studios) to co-produce cross-border microdramas — a format booming on Asian digital platforms. In four days, the delegation forged contacts with over a hundred international partners: producers, distributors, sales agents, investors, and content creators.

Cinematic Landscapes at Every Latitude

Beyond the monumental Angkor Wat — a UNESCO World Heritage site — Cambodia offers a rare palette of natural and cultural sets: Tonlé Sap Lake (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake), dense forests of the Cardamom Mountains, a coastline dotted with islands in the Gulf of Thailand, or the bustling streets of Phnom Penh blending colonial architecture and contemporary vibrancy.

These are complemented by concrete logistical advantages: production costs lower than competing Southeast Asian destinations, a regulatory framework under simplification, and a pool of local technicians and fixers experienced in international shoots.

Apply to the Location Scouting Programme: Submit your application on the CTB's official portal to access scouting support.

Apply Now →