CIR Lifestyle
Cambodia takes center stage as guest of honor at the 19th edition of Angoulême’s French-language film festival, taking place from 24 to 29 August in France. The Angoulême Film Festival is one of the main events celebrating French-language cinema. Nine Cambodian films were screened throughout the week, including La joie de vivre (1969), directed by King Father Norodom Sihanouk himself and screened in the presence of his daughter, H.R.H. Princess Norodom Arunrasmy, member of the Cambodian delegation at the festival.
As one of the festival’s partners, OCIC presented a video introducing Cambodia and Techo International Airport, the country’s new international gateway, while showcasing Khmer culture through images of Apsara dancers performing.
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This is not the first time OCIC has been involved in Cambodian cinema. In 2024, the group funded a series of European premieres for La Beauté du geste, a documentary by Xavier de Lauzanne on the Cambodian Royal Ballet and Apsara dance. The film captures the final production overseen by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi.
More recently, the group helped produce Returning Gods, a film by Hun Pen and Yoshiro Osaka on the return of Khmer artifacts to Cambodia, and contributed to Pithi – Objects of Ceremony, an exhibition of repatriated artifacts at Koh Pich City Hall.
A History That Runs Deeper Than Language
Cambodia’s ties to the Francophone world extend beyond language. His Late Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk was among the founding fathers of the Francophonie. Cambodia’s presence as this year’s guest of honor marks a step towards hosting the Francophonie event in November 2026.
The festival also served as a platform for new partnerships. On 24 August, H.E. Nuon Pharat, Governor of Kampong Thom, signed a Letter of Intent for Partnership with the City of Angoulême, paving the way for cooperation in culture, heritage, and exchanges.
An Airport Built on the Same Idea
The video presented by OCIC offered an opportunity to showcase a project that goes beyond the screen, introducing Techo International Airport while highlighting Cambodia’s culture and welcoming spirit. The airport’s design celebrates Khmer heritage, with hand-carved details, a central golden Buddha, and a roof echoing traditional Cambodian architecture. This distinctive design has earned international recognition, with Techo International Airport recently named among the world’s most beautiful airports by the Prix Versailles.
This year, Angoulême brought Cambodian cinema to an international audience, while Techo International Airport is opening a new gateway to Cambodia.
