Dispatches from the Mekong Region: Cambodia

Attractively realistic short films are proudly presented from Cambodia. These shorts depict internal struggles of contemporary protagonists with carefully designed visual and sound elements, which can appeal to any generation.

Programmer: Park Sungho

Park Sungho was born in Seoul, Korea in 1977. From 2007-13, he worked full-time for the Busan International Film Festival and served as program coordinator for Asian cinema and manager for the Asian Film Academy. In addition, he attended and worked for various film festivals as a buyer, programmer, juror and advisor. Having traveled to 39 countries, Park settled in Cambodia in 2013. Park is currently a programmer for Cambodia International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival, and is working to promote Cambodian and Southeast Asian cinema globally.

Program Coordinator: Yow Chong Lee

Apart from programming for film festivals, Chong Lee is also a film lecturer in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak who makes documentaries and fictional shorts with his friends. He enjoys nature and had recently picked up scuba diving to explore a world less explored. He hopes he can gain a bit of weight and wisdom in life.

Three Wheels
Dir. Kavich Neang | Cambodia | 2015 | 20′

On a lonely night, tuk-tuk driver Nath meets a woman who reminds him of his past. When he returns home, he confesses to his wife that he wants to move. This realization will help them reveal unspoken realities of their marriage dating from the Khmer Rouge regime.

About The Director

Kavich Neang studied music and dance at a young age at Cambodian Living Arts before graduating in professional design from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in 2013. In 2019, his first full-length documentary, LAST NIGHT I SAW YOU SMILING, won the NETPAC Award at IFF-Rotterdam, the Special Jury Prize at Jeonju-IFF, Best Image at Janela do Recife, and two awards at Tokyo FilmEx. He is currently in post-production on his first narrative feature, WHITE BUILDING.

Before the Rain
Dir. Inrasothythep Neth | Cambodia | 2019 | 25′

One suffers in silence, another masks her pain. In the midst of misery, an unexpected bond is formed. Can another’s agony distract them from their own?

About The Director

Inrasothythep Neth (b. 1995, Phnom Penh, Cambodia) graduated in public health and teaching English as a foreign Language, and has worked in production as a director on various music videos, TV commercials, and short films since 2015. BEFORE THE RAIN is his second short film.

Goodbye, Phnom Penh
Dir. Kavich Neang | Cambodia | 2015 | 17′

Hidden in a hotel in the capital city of Phnom Penh, a young couple spends their final days together before one of them has to return home to her own country.

About The Director

Kavich Neang studied music and dance at a young age at Cambodian Living Arts before graduating in professional design from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in 2013. In 2019, his first full-length documentary, LAST NIGHT I SAW YOU SMILING, won the NETPAC Award at IFF-Rotterdam, the Special Jury Prize at Jeonju-IFF, Best Image at Janela do Recife, and two awards at Tokyo FilmEx. He is currently in post-production on his first narrative feature, WHITE BUILDING.