Cambodia Town Film Festival

08/22/2025

CTFF 2025 Official Selection Present: The Shorts Corner
+ Q&A with Filmmakers after the screening.

Check out these 6 phenomenal short films!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
@ Art Theatre Long Beach

Grandma Nai who Played Favorites: During her family's Qingming visit, dead Grandma Nai sneaks away from her afterlife after overhearing that her Q***r grandson is about to get engaged to a woman. (DIRECTED by Chheangkea)

Have I swallowed your Dreams:A poetic conversation between an immigrant daughter and her mother about sacrifices and dreams. (DIRECTED by Clara Chan)

Red Moon: A woman is forced into an arranged marriage during the Pol Pot regime, navigating the challenges and upheavals of a tragic genocide. (DIRECTED by Roshane Saidnattar)

The Healing Circle: An intimate and visually experimental short documentary that celebrates the resilience of Cambodian women through the healing power of storytelling, art, and music. (DIRECTED by Thavary Krouch)

It Would Be Foolish To Make Art With Eyes Closed: Showcasing the art of Sayon Syprasoueth, and how his past has influenced his current art. Syprasoueth uses themes of identity, trauma, and the immigrant story not only in his art but to continue to navigate life. (DIRECTED by Levi Yin)

Chasing Redemption: Dara and Tommy alter the course of their lives after their Life Without Parole (LWOP) sentences are commuted. Their story is a powerful journey of the pursuit of redemption and hope. (DIRECTED by Thaisan Nguon)

GRANDMA NAI WHO PLAYED FAVORITES Writer/Director/Editor: ChheangkeaProducers: Daniel MATTES (Anti-Archive), Karen MADAR (NoMad Productions)Co-Producers: Loy TE, Vincent VILLADirector of Photography: Shyan TANCasting: Savunthara SENGCast: Bonrotanak RITH, Saroeun NAY, Sokun Theary TY, Phalla IM, Chan...

08/22/2025

CTFF 2025 Official Selection: LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption

A daring look at the underbelly of the global art market, LOOT exposes the criminal network that used child soldiers to violently raid Cambodian temples then delivered blood antiquities to the homes of billionaires and elite western museums.

The story is deeply emotional, relying on former looters to tell their story and the top American detective to unravel a criminal network stretching from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the top of the Western art world.

Q&A with Filmmakers after the screening!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025. 1:30 PM–3:30 PM @ Art Theatre Long Beach

Click here for movie trailer and more info on the film:

LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption Running Time: 1h 27m Language: English, Khmer Director: Don Millar Producer: Cole Northey Art Director: Ponita Keo Story Editor: Makara Ouch Director of Photography: Peter CS Lee Writers: Don Millar, Ponita Keo, Makara Ouch, Ramesh Reddy Editor: Nick Ogden Compo...

08/21/2025

CTFF 2025 Official Selection: VAKHIM

Adopted in Cambodia at the age of four, Vakhim arrived in Italy in 2008. He speaks only Khmer and everything around him is unfamiliar, he is a sunny child and to adapt he removes the traces of his short life, which, however, does not disappear completely. In Italy there is Maklin, his older sister, and after a few years a letter arrives: it is Vakhim's birth mother asking about her son. Francesca and Simone, the adoptive parents, decide to go looking for her.

Q&A with Filmmakers after the screening!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14. 11 AM-1 PM @ Art Theatre Long Beach

Click link for movie trailer and more info on film:

VAKHIM Running Time: 1h 38m Director: Francesa Pirani Script: Francesca Pirani Produced by: Luca Criscenti Creative Producer: Stefano Viali Editing: Nicla Moruzzi Photography: Massimo Assimo, Luciano Usai Original Music: Tony Carnevale Synopsis: Adopted in Cambodia at the age of four, Vakhim arrived...

08/20/2025

CTFF 2025 Presents: STAY ALIVE MY SON: A VR SHORT FILM EXPERIENCE (Free Event).

STAY ALIVE MY SON

Inspired by true events & based on the memoirs of Pin Yathay, “Tu Vivras, Mon Fils” (Stay Alive, My Son)

Cast: Elodie Yung, Lucas Sigler, Arnold Chun, Abraham Sigler, Kostas Filippoglou, Vincent Rodriguez III

Logline:

Stay Alive My Son: A True Story About A Father’s Search for His Son (SAMS) is based on a true story and a technically groundbreaking odyssey where you are transported into the life of Yathay Pin, a Cambodian genocide survivor to witness the world through his eyes, urvivor to experience the world through his eyes, living every raw emotion. .

Whether playing in VR or PC in first of third person, every moment is an authentic dive into history where every decision unfolds a powerful story about the trauma of family separation, survival, and the power of hope.

This journey is more the life of one man but resonates in modern day stories of family separation; it’s a bridge to the past, an exploration of the depths of human endurance, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of love, perseverance, forgiveness, and healing.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025. 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM @ The Ice House Arts Complex

EXPERIENCE IT FOR FREE! Sign up now!

STAY ALIVE MY SON Inspired by true events & based on the memoirs of Pin Yathay, “Tu Vivras, Mon Fils” (Stay Alive, My Son) Cast: Elodie Yung, Lucas Sigler, Arnold Chun, Abraham Sigler, Kostas Filippoglou, Vincent Rodriguez III Logline: Stay Alive My Son: A True Story About A Father’s Search fo...

08/19/2025

Experience "The Killing Fields" on the big screen!!! It's the 35th anniversary of its US release, the movie was hailed as one of the most important war films of all time. Dr. Haing S. Ngor became the first Cambodian to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Rewatch on the big screen and join us after in a panel with Casting Director "Pat Golden" and Talent Manager, Producer "Kanica Suy" to discuss "The Legacy of the Killing Fields." Ticket in Bio tickettailor.com/events/cambodiatownfilmfestival

08/19/2025

Reserve your seat now!!

BAD AXE captures a closely-knit Asian American family living in rural Michigan during the pandemic as they fight to keep their ...

08/19/2025

Don't miss this community screening of the critically acclaimed film "Bad Axe" and a conversation with Director David Siev!! This Saturday at 2:00PM at the Art Theatre of Long Beach. Free Ticket here https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cambodiatownfilmfestival/1759916

08/19/2025

2025 marks the 50th year remembrance of the takeover of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 and the start of the Cambodian Genocide (1975-1979). By honoring the past, educating the present, and inspiring the future, this year’s Cambodia Town Film Festival (CTFF) strives to ensure that the strength, resilience, and creativity of the Cambodian people continue to shine in Long Beach and around the world. It is a time to honor lives lost, support healing, build community, and celebrate cultural resilience through the arts and cinema.

CTFF 2025 Special Presentation: The Killing Fields

WINNERS of 3 The Academy Awards:
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Dr. Haing S. Ngor
Best Cinematography - Chris Menges
Best Film Editing - Jim Clark.

Q&A with Filmmakers after the screening!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 @ Art Theatre Long Beach

THE KILLING FIELDS Running Time: 141 mins Director: Roland Joffé Writer: Bruce Robinson Cast: John Malkovich, Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, Julian Sands Producer: David Puttnam Synopsis: Roland Joffe’s unflinching drama recounts the true story of New York Times journalist Sidney Schanberg (Sam Wa...

08/17/2025

CTFF 2025 Official Selection: Chasing Cambodia

Growing up in the South, Johnny grappled with ignoring his Asian heritage to fit in with his predominantly white peers. Over the years, he found a passion for cycling and became an elite rider in the local Richmond circuit. In 2021, at 35 years old, Johnny welcomed his first child, Julian, into the world. Becoming a father ignited a desire to explore his Cambodian American identity and better understand his family’s roots.

That same year, Johnny was given an extraordinary opportunity to join the Cambodian National Cycling Team and compete in the Southeast Asian Games which took place in May of 2022 in Vietnam. This would open the door to possibly racing in the future in Cambodia, the country that almost took Johnny’s life before it ever was.

CHASING CAMBODIA  Running Time: 56m 50s A film by Adelicia CompanyPresented by VPMDirectors: Ben Saunders and Kyle JonasProducer: Joey SchihlExecutive Producers: Steve Humble and Mason Mills Synopsis: Growing up in the South, Johnny grappled with ignoring his Asian heritage to fit in with his predo...

08/17/2025

CTFF And RUMDOUL Presents: Beyond Trauma Narratives: Modern Khmer American Writing (Free Event). Sat, Sept 13. 3:30pm - 4:30pm @ Art Theatre Long Beach!

In this panel presentation and discussion, we will consider language as a portal to the past, present, and future. We address the question: How do we use writing to challenge and nurture the ongoing conversation about our history while also recognizing the evolution of Cambodian American identities? Join us as we listen to the words of three amazing Khmer authors who have navigated their refugee journeys and transformed trauma into triumph through writing, and reflect on how you can enhance your personal journey by putting pen to paper. Please join us for a Q&A and book signing after the panel.

In this panel presentation and discussion, we will consider language as a portal to the past, present, and future. We address the question: How do we use writing to challenge and nurture the ongoing conversation about our history while also recognizing the evolution of Cambodian American identities?...

08/16/2025

Vulture calling its one of "The Best Movies of 2025 (So Far)".

Making its Long Beach Premiere! Rithy Panh's award winning film, Meeting with Pol Pot.

Saturday, September 13. Also after the screening, a Q&A with Elizabeth Becker. This film is based on Becker and two others who visited Cambodia in 1978.

ONLY at

MEETING WITH POL POT Running Time: 1h 52m Language: French with English Subtitles Director: Rithy Panh Writers: Rithy Panh, Elizabeth Becker, Pierre Erwan Guillaume Producers: Keely Badger, Catherine Dussart, Roger Huang, Justine O.Cast: Cyril Gueï, Irène Jacob, Grégoire Colin Synopsis:  Three F...