Jun 18, 2025

Major Announcement | The 3rd CAFF Selection Committee

Selection Committee Lineup of the 3rd CAFF

Introduction to the Selection Committee

The selection committee of the 3rd Cambodia Asian Film Festival consists of a panel of veteran film curators, who act as dream architects of cinema. Drawing on their professional insights and decades of industry experience, they carefully sift through thousands of submissions to discover outstanding films brimming with passion and inspiration.

Guided by the core theme "Power Your Dreams", these cinematic gatekeepers evaluate entries not only by artistic merit but also by their power to ignite hope in audiences. With a global perspective, they provide a platform for emerging Asian filmmakers, allowing heartfelt stories of perseverance to transcend borders. They also identify profound humanistic values within each work, turning every selected film into a catalyst for dreams.

Thanks to the rigorous professionalism of these authoritative curators, the festival serves not merely as a showcase for exceptional films, but also as a spiritual link connecting creators with audiences, and reality with aspirations. The meticulously curated programme will lead audiences through a cinematic journey filled with touching tales of persistence, courage and breakthrough.

Profiles of Committee Members

KIM Young Woo | South Korea

A veteran international festival programmer and film selector with solid academic training and extensive industry experience, Kim Young Woo holds a degree in Visual Arts and Television from Rutgers University in the US. He served on the selection committee of the Busan International Film Festival until 2021, and has worked as a selection advisor and programme planner for renowned global events including IDFA, Locarno Film Festival, Seoul Independent Film Festival and Sheffield Doc/Fest. Endowed with a sharp artistic eye and sound professional judgment, he consistently discovers and supports innovative cinematic works.

With in-depth knowledge of global film culture, Kim acts as a vital bridge linking Asian cinema to the world, playing an indispensable role in advancing independent films and international documentaries.

MICHAEL CHAI | Cambodia

A transformative figure in Cambodia's film industry and a leading regional film distributor, Michael Chai founded Westec Media and Legend Cinemas in 2011. He revolutionised Cambodia's viewing landscape by launching the country's first modern cinema network, expanding his business to 13 theatre chains nationwide. In 2020, he established Abnormal Studios in Malaysia, extending his distribution footprint across more than ten markets in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Driven by a deep passion for Khmer cinema, he stepped into film production in 2014. His 2017 co-production The Prey became the first Cambodian feature released on Netflix. In 2024, he set up Tiny Film Productions, committing to produce two theatrical films per year to bring Cambodian stories to global audiences. Blending entrepreneurial vision with artistic devotion, he built a complete industrial chain covering production, distribution and exhibition, earning him recognition as a founding father of modern Cambodian cinema.

Samikshya Panta | Nepal

As Senior Festival Programmer and Head of Selection at Mountain River Films, Samikshya Panta possesses profound understanding of Asian cinema and an intuitive artistic sensibility, enabling her to uncover impactful films rich in cultural depth and emotional resonance. Specialising in aligning creative development with industry outreach, she has brought numerous Asian independent and co-produced films to European and global festivals, with her curated slates widely praised by international critics.

Her expertise spans script evaluation, festival scheduling and international distribution coordination. Equipped with professional curatorial skills and cross-cultural communication strengths, she matches each film with its ideal screening platform. As a key liaison between filmmakers and the global festival circuit, she advocates for underrepresented cultural narratives and promotes diverse Asian cinematic voices with rigorous professional standards.

Esther Li | China

Her debut international co-production feature Tiger's Belly assembled top-tier filmmakers from five regions including India, the US and China, featuring two Oscar-winning talents, and was officially selected for the 74th Berlin International Film Festival. Prior to her film career, she spent a decade working for leading global news outlets such as the Chinese edition of The New York Times and MIT Technology Review, cultivating a distinctive global vision and cross-cultural communication competence.

Co-founder of Silver Wing Wonders, she launched China's first sci-fi film festival and the "New Vision Filmmaker Programme" to nurture emerging talent, later expanding the initiative across Asia through Mirage Films, her Hong Kong-based production company. A regular attendee at international forums including Eurasian Roundtables and BRICS Film Summit, she leverages her media background and cross-cultural expertise to facilitate multiple cross-border co-production collaborations, serving as a crucial connector between Chinese filmmakers and the global market.

David CHI | China

A versatile practitioner across film and performance studies, David Chi integrates academic research with hands-on industry practice. He leads the "Lei · Reflection" Performance Training Lab, pioneering innovative methodologies for performing arts. His screenwriting talent has won the National Outstanding Script Award from China Drama Press, and his short films have earned international acclaim with selections in competition at Rome, New York, Stockholm and other global film festivals.

Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology at Golden Gate University in the US, he researches psychological intervention for high-stress groups and applies his academic findings to cinematic creation. As a research fellow at Shanghai Theatre Academy, he devotes himself to film theory research, bringing original academic perspectives to enrich cinematic art. At the intersection of academia and creation, he continuously pushes the boundaries of film expression.