The pioneering CamboFest (cambofest.com) Film and Video Festival of Cambodia was the 1st Internationally recognized film festival to take place in Cambodia since the end of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Founded and co-organized by Royal University of Phnom Penh graduate student Jason Rosette and filmmaker (MA – International Development Studies), the event was unique (and unusual) as a grass roots, independent media effort in a semi-democratic production environment. The event was primarily volunteer-driven, with some pre-crowdfunding era donations, submission fees, and out of pocket contributions filling the gap.
After increasing interference from state sponsored EU-FR actors and foreign movie pirates, the CamboFest was handed off in 2011 to a local Kampot youth group (Y.A.H.R.D.) for management and continued operation, in keeping with a local, participatory, non-colonial approach.
Find out more about CamboFest in the ‘About CamboFest‘ section, here.
Below are archived photos, schedules, and other items from that very first event back in 2007. (Part 1)
Newspaper coverage of the first CamboFest event in the Cambodia DailyAdditional coverage from local Cambodia English language press, regarding the 1st edition of the CamboFest, Cambodia Film FestivalMany youth were in attendance at the special local showcase screenings…Many youth waiting for the first local showcase (Cambodia-themed movies) …Filmmaker John Shapiro with CamboFest founder and co-organizer Jason Rosette…Filmmaker / Dancer Sophaline Cheam Shapiro discusses her film with a young guest…Volunteer Mariam Arthur with festival founder and co-organizer, Jason Rosette at the Meta House venue, Phnom Penh (*note the heat…)CamboFest film promo items and schedules on a table at the Meta House venue, Phnom Penh…Grabay Meas (‘Golden Buffalo’) trophy award winners Poy Chunnly and Greg Cahill near the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh…CamboFest Sala Art Space venue along the riverside in Phnom Penh…View of staff and guests at the CamboFest Meta House venue in Phnom Penh…Guests being interviewed by local Cambodian journalists at the CamboFest Meta House venue …
More Pix and Video from CamboFest: Film and Video Festival of Cambodia – 1st (2007) Edition, Coming Soon
