Tenement: Cambodia bets on psychological horror to win the Oscar for Best International Feature Film

Cambodian cinema is poised to make a significant breakthrough on the world stage with the official selection of the psychological horror thriller Tenement to represent the country at the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, scheduled for March 2026.

This decision, announced in September 2025, illustrates the country's renewed desire to make its mark in the most prestigious competition in international cinema, after several attempts and a historic nomination for Rithy Panh's documentary The Missing Picture in 2013.

A film rooted in Cambodian history and psyche

Tenement, co-directed by Inrasothythep Neth and Sokyou Chea, creates a dark and suffocating atmosphere in the heart of a dilapidated building dating back to the Khmer Rouge era, located in Phnom Penh. The story follows Soriya, played by Thorn Thanet, a manga artist of Cambodian and Japanese origin, who returns to her native country following the death of her mother. She soon finds herself trapped in a series of terrifying visions that skilfully blend past and present, propelling the viewer into the heart of the collective and personal traumas of Cambodia's recent history.

This visual and narrative quest questions collective memory while subtly exploring the psychological effects of a painful legacy, using an aesthetic that blends psychological horror and social realism. The film thus embodies a form of renaissance in contemporary Cambodian cinema, combining historical depth and stylistic innovation.

A production marked by challenges and innovations

Production of Tenement began in 2020, but faced a significant two-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Filming took place between Tokyo and Phnom Penh, highlighting a cultural bridge between Japan and Cambodia, much like the main character. Notably, the film is the first Cambodian feature film to benefit from Dolby Atmos sound design, a major technical asset that highlights the involvement of producers Ec Media and Kongak Pictures in audiovisual innovation.

This technical breakthrough was recognised at the Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival, where Tenement won the award for Best Production Design, confirming the artistic and technical quality of the project. The film was subsequently screened at several international festivals, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, as well as festivals in Sitges, Osaka, Luxembourg and Fright Nights, attracting the attention of a discerning and critical audience.

The race for the Oscars: a challenge for Cambodian cinema

The choice of Tenement to compete for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film is in line with a Cambodian tradition that began in 1994, albeit with limited success. Of the thirteen films already submitted by Cambodia, only The Missing Picture has managed to secure a prestigious nomination, while other works such as Return to Seoul have made it onto the shortlist without ultimately being nominated.

The campaign for Tenement therefore promises to be ambitious but complex in the face of strong global competition. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce a shortlist of films in December 2025, followed by the revelation of the five finalists on 22 January 2026. This crucial step will determine whether the Cambodian film can take another historic step forward.

With Tenement, Cambodia is not just participating, it is asserting a unique, powerful and terrifying voice on the international cinema scene. Through its narrative richness, historical dimension and technical audacity, the film embodies the renewal of a cinema capable of conquering minds and hearts, attempting to transcend trauma to open a new cultural chapter. The world will have its eyes fixed on Phnom Penh on 22 January 2026, when the verdict will be announced.