Aug 7, 2021

The 1st Cambodia Asian Film Festival Concludes Successfully

On the evening of August 7, the online awards ceremony of the inaugural Cambodia Asian Film Festival wrapped up at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, the nation's capital, and was broadcast live across Asia via National Television of Cambodia.

H.E. Som Sokun, First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Honorary Chair of the Cambodia Asian Film Festival

Distinguished guests graced the awards ceremony, including H.E. Som Sokun, First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and Honorary Chair of the Cambodia Asian Film Festival; Borak Pok, Head of the Film Department of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and Honorary Advisor to the Cambodia Asian Film Festival; and Him Sotithya, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Information and Vice Dean of the Dance Arts Faculty under the Film Production Department of the Royal University of Fine Arts of Cambodia. Hao Lei, renowned Chinese actress and Jury President, joined the event via online video link alongside the jury panel to witness the presentation of all awards.

A total of 18 prestigious “Golden Romduol Awards” and 13 Asian Media Honorary Awards were presented in the Main Competition Section, recognizing outstanding filmmakers for their remarkable contributions to the development of Asia's film industry and cross-border cinematic cultural exchanges.

Yao Chen, Chinese actress, claimed the “Golden Romduol Award” for Best Actress for Send Me to the Clouds, while Chinese actor Li Xian won Best Actor with The Enigma of Arrival. Produced and headlined by Yao Chen, Send Me to the Clouds also took home the top honor of Best Feature Film in the Main Competition. Malaysian emerging director Sam Quah received the “Golden Romduol Award” for Best Director for Sheep Without a Shepherd.

Cambodian film The Price of Love was named Audience's Favorite Feature Film under the “Golden Romduol Award”. Three feature films led by the Chinese production Premarital Examination starring Han Xue and Wei Daxun won the Jury's Special Recommendation Award. Chinese film Grace of Porridge earned the “Golden Romduol Award” for Outstanding Artistic Contribution.

Renowned Chinese performing artist Xi Meijuan received the “Golden Romduol Award” of Lifetime Achievement, while celebrated director Zhang Jiarui was honored as Filmmaker of the Year. Iranian actress Ms. Tina Pakravan won Best Supporting Actress for The Weightlessness, and Malaysian actor Mr. Jack Tan took home Best Supporting Actor for Fly by Night.

For other “Golden Romduol Award” categories: Indian filmmaker Mr. Nag Ashwin was awarded Best Screenplay for Mahanati. Veteran Chinese filmmaker Liu Yiwei claimed Best Producer. Zhang Xiaobing, Art Director of Chinese film Gone with the Light, won the award for Best Art Direction. Outstanding productions from Russia, Turkey, Georgia and other countries also swept awards for Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Design and Best Cinematography respectively.

Within the Asian Media Honorary Awards segment, Chinese actress Liu Yan won Best Actress for White Wedding, and Chinese actor Gao Xiaopan took Best Actor for Happiness is Not Far Away. Mr. Huy Yaleng, screenwriter of Cambodian film Vikalcharet, together with Ms. Rithy Lomorpich and Mr. Mong Manith, screenwriters of Cambodian romance Young Love, shared the Best Screenplay Award. Young Chinese director Tian Kai secured two major honors — Best Feature Film and Best Director — for his work Blooming Angel.

As the host country, Cambodia achieved remarkable results at the festival. Multiple local productions claimed numerous Asian Media Honorary Awards, including Best Feature Film and Most Promising Actor & Actress.

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

As a highly influential pan-Asian film festival and a vital platform for exchange and collaboration among Asian filmmakers, the event gathered Cambodian dignitaries, business representatives, cinema practitioners and cultural figures, as well as jury members, cast and crew from home and abroad. Attendees gathered to witness this grand gala for Asian and global cinema, and experience the boundless vitality and promising prospects of Asian motion pictures.

Cinema serves as an artistic outlet and a carrier of cultural heritage. The Cambodia Asian Film Festival continuously injects fresh vitality into Asian filmmaking. May Asian cinema and the Cambodia Asian Film Festival keep writing brilliant new chapters together.