The Phnom Penh Feminist Film Festival celebrates and reflects on intersectional feminist cinema and aims to increase visibility of the feminist movement in Cambodia. Film has the power to reach a wide audience, and individual movies work to reflect, represent and challenge societal norms. But cinema is largely dominated by white, cis-gendered, straight male actors, writers, directors and producers
. The continual telling of these stories, experienced by the few who possess the most resources and power, but claiming to represent the many, creates a standard for people’s impressions of lived experience that isn't recognizable to most of us. The idea behind the Phnom Penh Feminist Film Festival is to increase visibility for feminist films and filmmakers in Cambodia, showcase intersectional stories, and present alternative perspectives. We want to show audiences interesting, complex, and possibly unfamiliar female characters and films which challenge existing gender norms. The Festival combines the screening of feminist movies with the promotion of sensitive topics relevant in Cambodia. Namely, harmful gender stereotypes, gender-based violence and discrimination, LGBTIQ rights, human trafficking and more. We hope to publicize these topics and inspire others to demand change.
