BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

From 1–3 May, the Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) will bring a new coastal chapter of its programming to Kep with CIFF-360: Kep Edition, a three-day cinematic gathering where film, environment, and community meet on the shoreline.

Set against the tranquil backdrop of Cambodia’s southern coast, the weekend transforms Kep into a living stage for cinema, conversation and creative exchange. Through curated screenings, panel discussions, artist encounters and ocean-focused experiences, CIFF-360 invites filmmakers, cultural leaders, and audiences to explore how storytelling can shape the future of Cambodia’s cultural landscape.

Part of the broader CIFF programe in Phnom Penh, CIFF-360 brings a selection of festival films to Kep while introducing new elements designed specifically for the coastal setting — from community storytelling projects to conversations around marine conservation and the evolving Cambodian creative scene.

“This weekend is about achieving a living connection between cinema and place,” says Peter J. Brongers, Secretary General of Art for Kep. “Kep has a rich and layered heritage, architecturally, culturally and historically, and there is something powerful about gathering here. It invites filmmakers, artists and audiences not just to watch films, but to reflect on environment, identity and the stories that are shaping Cambodia today 

A Cinematic Weekend by the Sea

Across three days, CIFF-360 will blend film screenings with cultural programming that reflects Kep’s unique identity — a historic seaside town now emerging as a hub for art, sustainability and creative collaboration.

Day 1 – Friday 1 May: Opening & Reframing Cambodia

The weekend begins with an opening programme introducing audiences to contemporary Cambodian cinema. Screenings will be accompanied by a flagship discussion titled “Reframing Cambodia: Filmmaking Today and the Road Ahead,” bringing together filmmakers, actors and cultural partners to explore the evolution of Cambodia’s film industry, emerging voices and new platforms for storytelling.

The evening continues with informal welcome drinks, creating space for filmmakers, guests and partners to connect in a relaxed coastal setting.

Day 2 – Saturday 2 May: Ocean, Culture and New Voices

Saturday focuses on the relationship between storytelling, community and the sea. Daytime programming will feature “Kep in 3 Minutes: Our People, Our Culture, Our Ocean,” a creative platform inviting local voices and artists to share short films and sound works inspired by Kep and its surrounding waters.

Additional events may include Ocean Night, an evening dedicated to marine storytelling and conservation, highlighting Kep’s marine protected areas through film and conversation.

Throughout the day and evening, audiences will experience curated CIFF screenings across different locations in Kep, accompanied by filmmaker talks and informal discussions.

Day 3 – Sunday 3 May: Crossovers & Closing

The final day shifts into reflection and collaboration, beginning with an optional wellness session inspired by Kep’s restorative coastal environment. Artist encounters and conversations exploring Cambodia’s creative renaissance will connect cinema with visual art and cultural storytelling.

The weekend concludes with final screenings, a closing conversation on the future of Cambodian film and creative partnerships, and a relaxed farewell gathering celebrating the filmmakers, artists and emerging voices who have shaped the event.

Cinema as Cultural Catalyst

By bringing part of the Cambodia International Film Festival programme beyond the capital and into Kep, CIFF-360 highlights the role of cinema in connecting communities, landscapes and ideas.

Here, film is not confined to a theatre. Instead, the entire coastline becomes part of the experience — where audiences watch stories unfold while surrounded by the very environments that inspire them.

As Cambodia’s creative industries continue to grow, initiatives like CIFF-360 aim to foster dialogue between filmmakers, artists, environmental advocates and local communities, positioning cinema as both a cultural and social catalyst. Knai Bang Chatt, together with a Singaporean film house, has produced a documentary about Art for Kep — showcasing our artists, culture, ocean and region. The documentary will premiere during CIFF 360 in Kep.

CIFF-360 Kep Edition takes place 1–3 May 2026 in Kep, Cambodia.
Full programme details and film selections will be announced closer to the event.

For bookings: 
www.kepwest.com/knaibangchatt 
[email protected]

*All Photos from Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West