Sep 24th, 2023

Unveiling Ceremony of Cambodia Film Culture (China Region) Copyright Trading Center & Special Event of China (Fujian) – Cambodia (Phnom Penh) Film Culture Exchange Week (Fujian Session) Held Successfully

On September 24, two landmark events were staged respectively at Mengxue Hall in Wenru Lane, Sanfang Qixiang, and MixC Cinema (Fuzhou MixC): the unveiling ceremony of the Cambodia Film Culture (China Region) Copyright Trading Center and the special event of China (Fujian) – Cambodia (Phnom Penh) Film Culture Exchange Week (Fujian Session).

Guided by the Film Bureau of Fujian Province, Publicity Department of CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the events were co-hosted by the Executive Committee Office of the Silk Road International Film Festival (Fuzhou) and the Organizing Committee of Cambodia Asian Film Festival, and undertaken by Fuzhou Film Festival Co., Ltd. and Fujian Lequan Huyu Entertainment Pictures Co., Ltd.

Mr. Borak Pok, Director of the Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia, delivered the opening speech at the unveiling ceremony. He stated that Cambodia and China have long leveraged outstanding films to facilitate civilizational dialogue and people-to-people exchanges. As bilateral film industry cooperation deepens and the Cambodia-China Film Culture Copyright Trading Center operates on a regular basis, closer alignment between content resources and distribution channels will be achieved, generating more cooperation opportunities for both sides.

Mr. Borak Pok, Director of the Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Later, Lu Jing, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee, Director of its Publicity Department, Director of the United Front Work Department and First-Class Inspector, addressed the gathering. She pointed out that copyright trading platforms serve as the fundamental carrier for the film copyright industry and a vital medium for exchanges between Chinese and Cambodian film markets. The launch of the Cambodia Film Culture (China Region) Copyright Trading Center arrives at an opportune moment. It will fulfill its mission as a comprehensive platform boosting cultural exchange and mutual learning between the two countries'film sectors.

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Lu Jing, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee, Director of its Publicity Department, Director of the United Front Work Department and First-Class Inspector

During the official launch session, leaders and representatives from Cambodia and China took the stage together to unveil the Cambodia Film Culture (China Region) Copyright Trading Center, marking its official establishment, before receiving joint media interviews.

Ms. Hong Li (left) and Ms. Lu Jing unveil the plaque together.

Mr. Ek Bunta (left) and Ms. Hong Li take questions from the press together.

In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia hosted the special event of China (Fujian) – Cambodia (Phnom Penh) Film Culture Exchange Week (Fujian Session) at China Resources MixC Cinema. Attendees watched the Cambodian film Father and joined a post-screening exchange forum.

The China-Cambodia Film Culture Exchange Week is an initiative incubated by the Cambodia Asian Film Festival. It is scheduled to be held annually in major cities of China and key cities across Cambodia, aiming to showcase distinctive Cambodian culture to the world.

The Phnom Penh Session of China (Fujian) – Cambodia (Phnom Penh) Film Culture Exchange Week, hosted in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from August 7 to 10, 2023, received widespread acclaim from all participants. To further strengthen bilateral cultural ties, the special Fujian Session was held at MixC Cinema, China Resources MixC Fuzhou.

Distinguished guests in attendance included:

· Mr. Ek Bunta, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia

· Mr. Borak Pok, Director of the Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia

· Ms. Chhorn Ratana, Officer of the Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia

· Mr. Mayn Sochetra, Officer of the Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia

· Ms. Hong Li, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of Cambodia Asian Film Festival

· Mr. Zhang Yinghui, Director of the Film Management Division, Publicity Department of Fujian Provincial Party Committee

· Mr. Chen Riguan, First-Class Researcher, Publicity Department of CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee

· Mr. You Yichu, Chairman of Fuzhou Ancient Dwellings Group

· Mr. Liu Dongming, Party Secretary and Executive Director of Fuzhou Culture & Sports Industry Development & Operation Co., Ltd., as well as Executive Director and General Manager of Fuzhou Film Festival Co., Ltd.

Group photo of Huy Yaleng (left), director of the film Father, and Mr. Borak Pok (right).

Scene of the film screening

Ms. Hong Li, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of Cambodia Asian Film Festival , delivered a speech. She noted that the opening of the Cambodia-China Film Culture Exchange Week falls in the year marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China, bearing great significance for bilateral film exchange and cooperation.

Ms. Hong Li, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of Cambodia Asian Film Festival

Looking back at history, the Khmer Empire once flourished and created a splendid civilization, leaving numerous breathtaking architectural wonders across the Indochina Peninsula whose religious and cultural influences endure among Cambodian people to this day. Ms. Hong Li added that the Cambodia Asian Film Festival Organizing Committee will collaborate with cities in China and other Asian regions this year to host Cambodian film screenings. The event will vigorously promote Cambodian cultural treasures including Angkor Wat, Royal Cambodian Ballet, Cambodian shadow puppetry, Preah Vihear Temple, traditional Khmer tug-of-war, tro string instrument, Sambor Prei Kuk Temple and mask dance, presenting unique Angkorian culture to a global audience.

Mr. Ek Bunta, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia, delivered his address. He remarked that the ongoing Cambodia-China Film Culture Exchange Week represents another grand event deepening bilateral friendship and cultural cooperation, especially within the film industry. It brings together film professionals to share expertise, tap new investment potential and jointly advance the cultural and industrial development of both nations’ film sectors. Mr. Ek Bunta extended special gratitude to Ms. Hong Li for her tremendous support to this event and the warm hospitality extended to the Cambodian delegation.

Mr. Ek Bunta, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Subsequently, Chinese and Cambodian leaders, representatives of the Cambodia Asian Film Festival Organizing Committee and the Executive Committee Office of the Silk Road International Film Festival (Fuzhou) jointly kicked off the opening ceremony of the Film Week on stage.

A screening session of outstanding Cambodian films followed, where the Organizing Committee of Cambodia Asian Film Festival presented the touching Cambodian feature Father. Adapted from a true story, the film depicts a disabled single father abandoned by his wife who relies on his rickshaw to raise his two children. The screening enabled the audience to gain deeper insight into Cambodia’s local humanity and social landscape.

Mr. Ke Weihang, Cambodian artist (right), takes part in the event

Ms. Ke Shin Yubin, Cambodian artist (right), takes part in the event.

The successful staging of the 2023 Cambodia-China Film Culture Exchange Week (Fujian Session) has officially kicked off a new chapter of bilateral film cultural exchange. We look forward to the 2nd Cambodia Asian Film Festival to be held in Cambodia in January 2024. The festival will select high-quality submitted films for competition, screening, awards and cross-industry exchange, supporting the development of cinema and delivering a magnificent cinematic feast.