Grabay Meas (Golden Buffalo) Winners of the 4th Edition of CAMBOFEST, Cambodia Film Festival

After much deliberation, and weighing the inputs of local audiences and participants in Cambodia, the Winners of the Grabay Meas (Golden Waterbuffalo) Awards for the 4th Edition of CamboFest, Cambodia Film Festival are as follows:


Feature Fiction - 'Dark Souls', Dir. Ceasar Ducasse 


Short/Medium Fiction - 'Lights', Dir. Giulio Ricciarelli 


Feature Documentary - 'Salaam Rugby', Dir. Faramarz Beheshti 


Short/Medium Documentary - 'Ayla My Korean Daughter', Dir. Byung Hun Hwang 


Universal Language - 'Extincion II', Dir. Fernando Uson Fornies 


Animation Only - 'For a Fistful of Snow', Dir. Julien Ezri 


Cambodia Movie Showcase - 'Good Luck for You Every Day',  Dir. Raul Gallego Abellan and Marc Martinez  


Very Short Movie - 'Natural Plastic', Dir. Faiyaz Jafri 


Edutainment/Social Issue - 'Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever' Dir., Josh Lee


Thanks to all filmmakers and moviegoers for their participation! 


(Filmmakers listed above please contact info@cambofest.com for further details)

German TV Segment CamboFest, Cambodia Film Festival 4th Edition

...as seen here:

CamboFest 4 Wraps * Plans for the Future

CamboFest 4 has wrapped despite a last minute change of venue ~ thanks to all participating filmmakers, contributors, the YAHRD Youth Group, and guests!

Regarding our plans for future editions of CamboFest: in light of chronic variances in the Cambodian media environment and government approvals process which have proven to be significant obstacles to the production of a 'normal' festival process and project, we are currently considering the best way to undertake our indie film festival in the very challenging developing Cambodian context.

In summary, we're considering adopting a bi-annual or multi-annual format (as do numerous other festival efforts in the developing world).

Such a change in format takes into consideration an assessment that the Cambodian motion picture exhibition sector may require another 10-20 years to develop to the point where independent, lower-budgeted film festival efforts are able to exist viably through a streamlined, codified, government approvals process.

Another option may be to transform the event into a 'Television' festival, which could fall under the guidance of the Cambodian Ministry of Information, which is reputed to be more supportive, favorable and cooperative with regard to some media efforts than the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Additional options include a variation or spin-off of the event (i.e., 'Son of CamboFest') to be produced by the YAHRD Youth Group in Kampot, who have now been duly and adequately trained - via their experience at the CamboFest 4th edition - to run a basic, grass roots festival version of CamboFest or similar event of their own production.

Finally, selections from CamboFest (or the entire, ongoing CamboFest festival program) may be included as a sidebar showcase at affiliated regional events, such as the Bangkok IndieFest - www.bangkokfest.com

Please check the CamboFest website at www.cambofest.com, and the Facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CamboFest-Cambodias-First-Indie-Film-Festival-est-2007/107388979332096 for further news, developments, and updates.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners of the Grabay Meas ('Golden Waterbuffalo') awards, coming soon ~ all the Best!

J Rosette, Phun Sokunthearith, & the CamboFest Team

CAMBOFEST, Cambodia's indie film festival (est. 2007)

www.cambofest.com

Training the YAHRD Youth Association in Kampot, Cambodia to operate gear for the CamboFest 4.0 (www.cambofest.com

Training the YAHRD Youth Association in Kampot, Cambodia to operate gear for the CamboFest 4.0 (www.cambofest.com); thanks to individual contributors who made the gear purchase possible for them!

...now just have to deal with unexpected last minute 'surprise' changes in the approvals process suddenly required by the Cambodian Ministry in Phnom Penh (vs local Kampot-only governor's approvals which were acceptable for the 2009 Edition...wah, wah, wahhhhhhh)

Southeast Asia Backbacker Mag gives CAMBOFEST a Shoutout

CAMBOFEST welcomes all backpackers, flashpackers - even the Green Bay Packers

(listing below in Southeast Asia Backpacker, underneath the Laos festival...)

CamboFest 4th Edition (March 1-9) in the Phnom Penh Post

Some new coverage, thanks to the Phnom Penh Post [a jpeg of a PDF]

Lineup for CAMBOFEST 4th Edition (March 1-9 2011)

The lineup for the 4th year of CAMBOFEST, Cambodia film festival

is now available online:

(note: the lineup will be updated on an ongoing basis - schedule & other details coming later!)

Public Lineup Ongoing CFEST 4.0

CAMBOFEST, Cambodia uncovers another vintage pre-Khmer rouge cinema house

CAMBOFEST, Cambodia uncovers another vintage pre-Khmer rouge cinema house

Here for the first time, CAMBOFEST, Cambodia (www.cambofest.com) staff present on mobile phone video one of the four original cinemas in Kampot, Cambodia.

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEndbWYFTFA

Only three of the four original pre-Khmer Rouge era cinema houses remain in Kampot: the 'Maraka', the 'Royal' (re-discovered and brought back to life for the 2009 edition of CamboFest)

...and this one, formerly known as the __________________, to be unveiled for use as a possible venue at the 4.0 edition of CAMBOFEST: film and Video Festival of Cambodia.

Despite a grass-roots budget and largely volunteer staff, CamboFest surprised UNESCO and others in the Cambodian context by re-discovering and bringing back to life the vintage 'Royal' cinema for its 2009 edition (as seen in our blog at => cambofest.blogspot.com )

Founded by media producer and filmmaker Jason Rosette in 2553 (2007), CamboFest is the longest running international movie event in Cambodia.

Please consider making a contribution to our efforts as we help bring a living cinema back to Cambodia - find out more at:

http://www.cambofest.com/contribute/contribute.html

CAMBOFEST: Film and Video Festival of Cambodia

http://www.cambofest.com

Cambodian filmmaker Yvon Hem receives his Grabay Meas ('Golden Waterbuffalo') trophy from CAMBOFEST, Cambodia

Photo of legendary Cambodian filmmaker Yvon Hem with the Grabay Meas ('Golden Waterbuffalo') trophy for his film, 'Shadow of Darkness', which screened at CamboFest (www.cambofest.com) 3.0 2553/2009 Edition.

Trophies from last year were delayed, in part, due to the interference by Phnom-Penh based foreign movie pirates in the previous edition of CamboFest (www.cambofest.com), Cambodia's independent movie festival, now entering its 4th season.

...nonetheless, winning filmmakers like Yvon Hem were never forgotten, and all winning filmmakers have now received their awards*!

Yvon Hem is currently also attached as co-writer to FREEDOM DEAL, the 3rd feature by Camerado director Jason Rosette (seated left in photo).

Find more information about FREEDOM DEAL here--> http://www.camerado.com/freedomdeal

NOTE (4/28/13) - Mr Yvon Hom passed away on August 8, 2012; his generosity and greatness shall never be forgotten!

Screening Submissions Underway

Getting close to the end of the call for submissions for the 4.0 edition of CamboFest (ending November 1), and now starting to screen in earnest - some great work, very diverse crop of movies this year.

More info later, but stay tuned at the CamboFest website at http://www.cambofest.com for updates!

:: Stills, Video, and Other Content from CAMBOFEST 2009 ::

(The 'CamboFest Story' can be found Here on the Camerado Blog)

CamboFest pre-show intro video (above) which also
thanks all our sponsors and supporters - see video

CamboFest was held this year (our 3rd), in the vintage 'Royal' cinema house in Kampot, Cambodia, a pre-Khmer Rouge era Cambodian cinema hall which we brought back to life especially for CamboFest 2009. Not even longtime local foreigners living in Kampot realized that the 'Royal' had once been a cinema house; CamboFest staff stumbled upon it by accident while scouting another vintage venue nearby.

Listen to BBC Radio discussing this year's CAMBOFEST and the Cambodian Cinema industry today


Hi-Rez stills and video of CAMBOFEST 2009 available at
CITIZENSIDE

Scores have been tabulated for winners of Grabay Meas ('Golden Buffalo') awards

Stills in the series below by top Phnom Penh photographer,

Simon Toffanello of Monsoon Pictures

To cross-reference movie stills against schedule and description, pls see the PDF of schedule and lineup here (pls note that schedule changed at the end of the last day due to technical reasons regarding "All that She Wants', with 'Hill City' and 'SlipDream' filling in)

From 'Slipdream', a CamboFest 2007 favorite, which played as a "Best of CamboFest" selection (screening out of competition due to schedule change)

From 'Hill City' screening as a short before 'SlipDream'

(also screening out of competition due to last minute schedule change)

Filmmaker John Trinh ('Agent Orange: 30 Years later'), in town for his screening at CamboFest

From 'Death in Charge'

From 'Schritt fur Schritt'

From 'Sky in December'

From 'Survive'

Staffer Narith Hoo engaging in Cambodian-style promotion: with leaflets and loudspeaker (see 'Behind the Scenes' video, elsewhere on this blog, to watch him in action)

Tomas, editor of 'Schritt for Schritt' (left) delivering a package of info regarding short German films to CamboFest founder Jason Rosette (right)

(End of Monsoon Pictures Series; this has been a selection, there are several additional stills of each screening taken by top Phnom Penh photographer, Simon Toffanello- pls contact info@cambofest.com for hi-rez stills and other uses)

Additional stills and behind the scenes coverage from CAMBOFEST staff and volunteers:

(...contrary to some local rumors which were flying around, we obtained all permissions well in advance from various local Sangkat offices and the Kampot authorities - above)

Take a look behind the scenes at CAMBOFEST 2009 (video, above)




Visiting UK/Taiwan based filmmaker Leigh Rodgers ("In Transit") talks about his film and his experiences at CamboFest 2009

Filmmaker Ilya Batuev ('Guided by Spirit') en route with us from Phnom Penh to Kampot

Climbing the rafters of the old 'Royal' cinema to set up the screen

Setting up the screen, custom made to fit the 'Royal' (but suitable for other venues - contact CamboFest at info@cambofest.com for local rental inquiries) - lack of rental houses and equipment infrastructure makes improvisation an essential part of CamboFest

Ambient light situation due to 'Royal's' damaged roof necessitated the use of this 7000 + lumen projector, courtesy the US Embassy in Phnom Penh.

Testing the gear with a live audience...

Suong Sambath (left) and Mr. Tol (right) - essential staff who learned on the job in current and previous editions of CamboFest

Mr. Tol sets up an info booth at a nearby Guesthouse...



CamboFest 2007 Grabay Meas award winner, Harri Anenden, (' The Cathedral') in town
all the way from Mauritius

Hanging out at a Cambodian roast-beef restaurant after the show -
visiting filmmaker James Speck is at the left

Celebrating a successful launch of year 3 of CAMBOFEST, Cambodia's only currently functioning annual international movie festival. Note the use of radios, which allowed us to bypass interference caused by 3rd party foreign pranksters. The presumed intention was to tie up our phone lines via fake classified ads placed in local web forums, etc.

Taking a break in between films...

Typical evening audience at Cambofest 2009, sitting on ubiquitous Cambodian-style plastic chairs. Daytime crowds tended to be thinner due to lack of air con and other factors; attendance was also boosted in any case by a large group of Vietnamese university students, visiting from Raffles International college in Ho Chi Minh city (showing up in their army of Tuk Tuks especially for CamboFest)

From 'The Playground'

Unsure of this one...

Filmmaker Leigh Rodgers, visiting from the UK especially for CamboFest 2009, introduces his extremely likeable movie, "In Transit". (See a video with Leigh earlier in this blog)

From 'Netherworld', which drew nearly all curious Cambodian viewers

Various onesheets and support materials sent in by filmmakers...

From 'Sky in December'

Cambodian animator Chuunly Poy, winner of the Grabay Meas award in the 2007 edition of CamboFest, at local roast beef restaurant after the show.

These guests had started travelling in Mongolia, and were only planning to be in Cambodia a few days - but they still stuck around for most of CamboFest! Apparently Narith had gotten to them with his megaphone moto.

Tomas (editor of 'Schritt fur Schritt), left, visiting from Germany to rep his film; Cambodian animator Panith Norm and CamboFest staffer Narith Hoo next to him.

Monsoon Pictures photographer Simon Toffanello and his gal Mum, down from Phnom Penh for the weekend to catch some flicks (and shoot some stills) at CamboFest 2009.

Mr. Tol takes a well-earned nap between shows

Visiting feline creeps across the rafters of the old 'Royal' cinema, and below

From 'Neil Reinu'

From 'Revenge of the Nail'

From 'Milking the Rhino'

Volunteers David (in green), and Koala (in doorway), materialized from nowhere to help throughout the fest

Illya Batuev and local Kampot movie fan after the show

Panith Norm, left, CamboFest's Jason Rosette (center), and Leigh Rodgers (right)

From 'Lumia'; lack of aircon on this day in particular had some impact on the first session show, but diehard fans still came to watch this very unique doc.

Visiting filmmaker John Trinh (left) and CamboFest's J Rosette at a great breakfast and lunch hangout, the "year 2000 restaurant*" (* real name unknown)

Legendary Cambodian filmmaker Yvon Hem's 'Shadow of Darkness brought in a great crossover audience of local Khmer and foreigners; although we charged an admission fee per session, we made things as affordable as we could. Local women seated in the back paid in banannas (which came in handy for busy staff)

From 'Shadow of Darkness'; a quick phone call with the filmmaker before the screening welcomed all guests to this one-of-a-kind movie, one of the first features to be made in Cambodia following the Pol Pot regime.

From 'Survive', filmmaker Roshane Saidnatter's compelling documentary - and the first Cambodian film to be nominated for a 'Best of' award at the annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards (see www.asiapacificscreenawards.com) ; movie was submitted by CamboFest as an organization repping Cambodia with the APSA.

Panith Norm's 'Mosquito in Dreaming' , below

From "Netherworld'

From 'Up and About Again' - the snow-covered car mesmerized local Cambodian viewers

'Massacrator' evoked responses of all kinds...

From 'Urban Knots'

From 'Transylvania Timber'

Filmmaker Roshane Saidnatter, visiting from France for the Cambodian premiere of her striking docu, 'Surviveand , with CamboFest's Jason Rosette

Filmmakers Leigh Rodgers, visiting from Taiwan, and John Trinh on the right, visiting from the USA

S. Korean punk flick, 'Bangham Staion' plays before a welcoming audience - movie was well received, scoring well with the audience during our surveys to determine winners of the Grabay Meas ("Golden Buffalo")

Filmmaker John Trinh (left), Mr. Tol, two moviegoers from South Africa, and filmmaker Ilya Batuev

Update: we're optioning the CamboFest story to a New York City, USA, based publisher about our experiences putting together a film festival out here in the Cambodian context. No title yet, but will include everything: the good, the bad, the ugly, and the whole 3-year adventure in detail. Look out for all the juiciest (and sometimes controversial) bits which took place behind the scenes during the course of this season's CamboFest...

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the blog and feel free to email us at info@cambofest.com with any inquiries.

All the Best,

The CAMBOFEST Team

http://www.cambofest.com