Mariam Arthur
Crowds gathered at Legend Premium Olympia to celebrate the opening of the All Asian Independent Film Festival and European Independent Film Festival (AAIFF/ÉCU) On-The-Road Tour on Thursday night. The festival screened 39 films from 22 countries and hosted screenings from 6pm to 10pm, on 20, 21 and 22 October, 2023.
“We believe we are presenting the world’s best independent films,” AAIFF/ÉCU Founder and President Scott Hiller said. “An independent film has soul. They’re like a good book that you can’t put down, and when you do put it down, you think about it.”
AAIFF also conducted three (3) professional workshops during the festival. Each workshop was from 13:00 to 17:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The topics are Cinematography, Directing and Marketing respectively, and cost $25 for one, $40 for two, or $50 for all three.
Managing Director of Legend Cinemas Ros Tevoneat said, “We want to grow the market [for Khmer films] beyond Cambodia. We want to get recognition around Southeast Asia. In 2023, there were about 20 films produced by Cambodian producers. If you compare that to 2019 – pre-pandemic – it shows good growth in the market in terms of quantity and quality.”
When asked about how international film productions choosing Cambodia as a location affects the local economy, Ros replied that it helps by increasing tourism. “It is a very good opportunity for Cambodia to present itself to the world. We have a nice place and a nice culture to share with the world,” he said.
“As a cinema owned by Cambodians, we actually want to contribute to the industry. By hosting this event and offering free screenings to the public, it encourages the producers who put the films on screen to produce more films. We also want the audience to see more variety of films,” he said.
Former Executive Director at Cambodia Film Commission Sovichea Cheap discovered a lot of interest when he posted on Facebook. “I shared the information to our local filmmakers, and they asked many questions.”
Moung Rithy, a local filmmaker, expressed the films that were available at the festival are ones that Cambodians rarely see. “It also provides networking for the filmmakers. It’s very good that we can connect after Covid-19. The workshops are an opportunity for us to learn from award-winning filmmakers who share their knowledge. It is a golden time for us to grab from their experience.”
Ros added, “In partnership with AAIFF, the goals and visions between us both are aligned – which is to continuously bring growth to the movie industry in Cambodia, as well as to nurture and support independent filmmakers.”
The Legend Cinema’s mission has been characterized by a consistent commitment to technological innovation. The company introduced 3D cinema technology in Cambodia, a testament to its pursuit of enhancing local cinematic experiences. The adoption of modern viewing formats such as Dolby Atmos, and Giant Screen further cements the company’s position as a leader in the industry. Moreover, its Diamond Class halls, offering a luxurious cinema experience, signify the brand’s dedication to premium customer service and unique entertainment offerings.
