Everyone is aware of the dedication and enthusiasm of the current director of the Bophana Centre who, along with Cédric Eloy and numerous partners and volunteers, is one of the driving forces behind the success of the Cambodia International Film Festival.
Interview:
Can you tell me what's really new about this festival, what makes it different?
What's very special and different this year is the level of audience involvement in the festival. In many venues, there are far more people and we, as organisers, are very happy and grateful that so many people come, not only from Phnom Penh, but also from the provinces, to experience the atmosphere of the festival and enjoy sharing artistic expression together.
Why do you think there are so many people this year?
I'm not sure, but I think the festival's rich programme attracts a lot of people. I also think that Cambodians now have a greater and greater interest in art, particularly in film.
Do you think that the dynamic of previous editions is finally leading people to take an increasing interest in cinema?
Yes, I think so. Today, I have the impression that CIFF is not just a festival for a few enthusiasts, but for the whole community. It's clear to me today that this event belongs to everyone. I've met several friends who come to the festival, who attend the opening, and so on. So I'm very happy and grateful to this large and enthusiastic audience.
What kind of increase in attendance do you expect? 10%, 20%, 30%?
We don't have a statistical estimate at the moment because we haven't collected any data yet. But I think it's increased by perhaps at least 15%. Yes, because I see that everywhere we go, there are really a lot of people.
Do you think this success will help the industry? More audiences, maybe more funding?
I think it will help the industry, because as long as we have an audience, there's hope that the sector will develop. It's also clear that the festival isn't just about entertainment, but also offers a wide range of art house films, committed cinema, films d'auteur and strong documentaries.
"So people appreciate another form of art that is not just entertainment. So I think the level of the audience has also evolved."
So it's a good hope for the industry as long as we can rely on the audience.
Personally, what did you enjoy most about watching the films? Give me two or three of your films that you really enjoyed.
It's crazy for me, because I'm one of the organisers and I really don't have enough time to watch all the films. We organise a lot of programmes to serve our audience, our friends. So for the last two days I've only watched a few documentary films.
I had to organise the Mekong Discovery Day programme. This programme attracted over a thousand people, students from all over the city. I saw that the students were very keen to understand life around the Mekong, the challenges of the river, biodiversity, conservation and also to discover the beauty of this great river.
So you're a very happy organiser?
In fact, as organiser, I can say that I'm very happy with this 13th edition.
Are you starting to think about next year?
Of course we are. We've been talking to some new people who are interested in becoming partners for next year, so that we can bring even more content to Mekong Discovery Day.
After all, this special series not only features films, but also discoveries about biodiversity and indigenous life. So we think next year will be even better, even more committed to this subject.