Angelina Jolie Pitt accepts presidency of film fest panel

Bophana Center founder Rithy Panh gives actress Angelina Jolie Pitt a tour of the centre earlier this year as part of research for the adaptation of First They Killed My Father.

The Cambodia International Film Festival received the endorsement of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars yesterday with the announcement that actress Angelina Jolie Pitt had accepted the presidency of the festival’s newly formed Honorary Committee.

The festival’s sixth edition will run from December 4 to 10 showcasing more than 130 films from 34 countries in eight screening venues across Phnom Penh.

The Honourary Committee was established this year “gathering professionals in cinema who support the development of the Cambodian film industry”, a CIFF press release said.

“Its members, originating from different backgrounds and continents, share the will to contribute to producing or promoting meaningful films in Cambodia, to see Cambodian cinema rise nationally and internationally.”

Jolie Pitt’s acceptance of the presidency was a “great honour for Cambodia and an encouragement for the new generation of filmmakers”.

The actress and filmmaker was quoted in the press release as saying:

“I’m proud to support the Cambodian International Film Festival and Cambodia as a home for vibrant and innovative filmmaking.

Cambodia’s rich history, long culture and talented people mean it has a huge amount to offer the region and the world.

I am honoured to be part of the 2015 Festival Committee, and looking forward to the exciting mix of Cambodian and international films we will be sharing with you this year.”

Other CIFF Honourary Committee members include filmmakers Rithy Panh, Kalyanee Mam, Sok Visal, Caylee So and James Gerrand, producer Nicholas Simon and film festival curator Park Sungho.

Jolie Pitt’s relationship with Cambodia stretches back to 2000 when she starred in the action adventure film Tomb Raider, which helped put Angkor Wat on the global tourism map.

She later adopted her son Maddox from the Kingdom and after establishing the Maddox Jolie Pitt Foundation wildlife sanctuary was given Cambodian citizenship.

She is currently filming an adaptation of the Khmer Rouge biography First They Killed My Father in Siem Reap and Battambang for Netflix.