Cambodia hosts 5th int'l film festival

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The fifth Cambodia International Film Festival kicked off here on Friday evening with an aim to promote the cinema industry, officials said.

Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona and Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith jointly launched the annual event at the Major Cineplex.

About 86 films from 26 countries and regions will be screened at eight cinemas in Phnom Penh until Dec. 10, according to the Cambodia Film Commission, which organized the festival.

"The program usually highlights movies made in or about Cambodia but also a selection of films from the world in diverse formats -- short and long fictions, documentaries, and animation," Cedric Eloy, chief executive of the Cambodia Film Commission, said.

"The goal of the festival is not only to present other cultures and exchange ideas but also to be a crossroad for young and more experienced film professionals to expose their work."

Phoeurng Sackona said the six-day film festival was essential to further promote Cambodian films to domestic and foreign spectators.

"It is a venue for film producers and artists to meet and share ideas on opportunities and challenges in the film industry," she said, adding that it is also a place for Cambodian youths to understand culture and civilization around the globe.

The minister said currently, the Cambodian film industry has seen remarkable progress and some of the films have joined international contests and won awards.

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