Cambodia Opens New Global Tourism Pathways Through Powerful Film Partnership With Chaktomuk Short Film Festival
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The Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) and the Chaktomuk Short Film Festival (CSFF) have entered into a strategic Matching Grant Agreement through the Overseas Promotion of Local Events initiative. The partnership represents an important step towards increasing Cambodia’s global presence by promoting its creative industries, cultural identity, and growing film sector on the international stage.
The official agreement signing took place at the CTB Headquarters in Phnom Penh, bringing together representatives from both organisations, along with industry professionals and invited guests. The event included formal remarks, the signing of the grant agreement, and a special screening featuring award-winning short films from the CSFF 2025 competition, including productions from Cambodia and China.
Through the Matching Grant programme, CTB will provide support for CSFF’s international media engagement and public relations activities. The initiative is designed to strengthen the festival’s global outreach, enhance awareness of Cambodia’s creative potential, and position the country as an emerging hub for storytelling, cultural exchange, and tourism experiences.
The collaboration highlights Cambodia’s efforts to connect cultural events with tourism development by using film as a platform to showcase the nation’s heritage, creativity, and unique destinations to international audiences. By expanding the visibility of CSFF, the partnership aims to attract greater interest in Cambodia’s cultural tourism offerings while supporting the growth of the local creative economy.
H.E. Kim Minea, CEO of the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB), stated: “Film tourism is
one of CTB’s key B2C strategic priorities, as films have the power to inspire travel and
showcase the beauty of destinations to global audiences in a compelling way. Recently, CTB
has supported film training and mentoring initiatives such as KARRE MOUY and Cambodia
Film Lab, coordinated several international productions to Cambodia through the Film
Location Scouting Programme, and supported Cambodian filmmakers’ participation in
international film markets such as Hong Kong FILMART.”
“Chaktomuk Short Film Festival, with its week-long programme of short film screenings
across Phnom Penh, has strong potential to become a regional platform for creative
exchange, attracting film enthusiasts and travellers to experience Cambodia. It can further
spotlight Phnom Penh’s emergence as a rising creative city, as recently highlighted by the
BBC, while building on the capital’s recognition as one of the BBC’s top 20 destinations to
visit in 2026. Through the Matching Grant Program, we are co-investing with the Festival to
strengthen its overseas marketing and elevate Cambodia’s global image, while inspiringtravellers and film enthusiasts to explore our rich culture, diverse nature, and vibrant urban
life all year round.”
Mr. SUM Sithen, Festival Director of CSFF, added: “For CSFF, this partnership
represents a pivotal transition from a locally celebrated festival into an internationally
connected cultural platform. International marketing enables us to showcase Cambodia’s
rising filmmakers to broader audiences whilst inviting regional filmmakers and cinema lovers
to explore our country. We are deeply grateful to CTB for recognizing the economic and
tourism potential of annual creative events like CSFF.”
The 15th edition of the Chaktomuk Short Film Festival (CSFF) is set to begin its international promotion campaign this August, bringing together filmmakers, audiences and creative communities for another celebration of Cambodian cinema. The main festival programme will be held in Phnom Penh from October 30 to November 2, 2026, with four days of curated short film screenings taking place at various venues across the capital.
The festival will conclude with a prestigious awards ceremony recognising outstanding achievements in multiple categories, including Best Local Short Film, Best International Short Film and Best Local Student Short Film. The event will highlight emerging filmmakers while providing a platform to showcase Cambodia’s growing independent film sector.
Following the Phnom Penh programme, the 15th CSFF edition will continue its journey through Cambodia with a provincial tour covering Battambang, Siem Reap and Kep between November and December 2026. The regional showcase aims to extend access to quality cinema beyond the capital while highlighting these provinces as important cultural and tourism destinations.
The festival’s 15th edition is supported by a wide network of national and international partners from the cultural, creative, academic, technical and hospitality sectors. These collaborations will help strengthen the festival’s mission of promoting independent filmmaking, developing young creative talent and expanding opportunities for Cambodia’s film community.
Key institutional support comes from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, while international collaboration is strengthened through the partnership with New Zealand’s Show Me Shorts Film Festival.
The festival also receives support from several cultural and arts organisations, including Selapak Trachaek Phnek Gallery, Cambodian Living Arts, French Institute of Cambodia, F3 and Creative Generation. Technical partners contributing to the event include Camera Hut, Aputure, Amaran, Canon, Mekong Link, Cemtes Co., Ltd., RUB Media, KongChak Pictures and Karre Mouy.
Academic partnerships play an important role in nurturing future filmmakers, with support from the Department of Media and Communications (DMC), PSE-Film School, Norton University, Build Bright University and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology – Cambodia.
Hospitality and community partners, including Millennium Destinations, Aquation Office Park and Ti Somjort, along with supply partners such as 11:11, Adore Cafes and Neal Bakery, will contribute to creating a stronger festival experience.
Media collaboration from Prochea Kaset and AMS will further support audience engagement and wider promotion of the festival.
The 15th CSFF continues to encourage public participation and support for independent Cambodian cinema. Individuals, organisations and supporters interested in helping young creative talents can contribute through direct donations to the Sunflower Film Organization via ABA Bank.
Bank Account: ABA Bank
Account Name: SUNFLOWER FILM ORGANIZATION
Account Number: 000 804 814
