Cambodia has been selected as country of honour for the 19th Francophone Film Festival, to be held from August 24 to 29, 2026, in Angoulême, France.
The Cambodian embassy in France worked with the festival organisers to hold a press conference at the Charles Floquet residence to publicise the event and promote Cambodia’s film industry.
Cambodia’s ambassador to France, លុយ ដាវីត, said the honour was a great source of pride and reflected the historical ties between Cambodia and the Francophone community. It was especially meaningful as Cambodia would host the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh in November 2026.
He said culture, particularly cinema, played an important role in connecting people and presenting Cambodia’s national identity and cultural heritage to the world.
Choosing Cambodia as country of honour also offered an opportunity to remember and honour the late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, who played an important role in the Francophonie and was a prominent figure in Cambodian cinema. He worked as a writer, director, producer and actor, and regarded film as a powerful means of promoting culture and national identity.
The occasion also recalled the history of Cambodian cinema, from its golden age in the 1960s, through devastating losses under the Khmer Rouge, to its revival through the efforts of a new generation of filmmakers bringing Cambodian work to the international stage.
The event was regarded as a valuable opportunity for Cambodia to present the artistic and cultural potential and identity of its cinema to the international community.
By: Pai Sokhim
