AKP Phnom Penh, January 17, 2026 --The Indian Film Festival in Cambodia 2026 kicked off on Jan. 16, 2026 at Legend Cinema Theatre, Olympia Mall, Phnom Penh, with the screening of the popular Bollywood movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. 

The three-day festival was inaugurated by H.E. Mrs. Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts.

At the inaugural session, H.E. Minister spoke highly of the event, stressing that it is very important for Indian filmmakers to share their experiences with Cambodian producers, both professional and independent, to provide additional knowledge to strengthen production capacity. It also opens up opportunities for producers from both countries to collaborate on joint film productions.

For his part, Ambassador of India H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung highlighted the significance of the event in connecting the peoples and cultures of the two countries. He also expressed hope that the festival will contribute towards re-igniting interest in Indian cinema among the Cambodian public and that Indian cinema will once again be screened in mainstream theatres across Cambodia as was done in the past. 

According to a press release issued this morning by the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, Indian cinema forms an integral part of India's rich cultural landscape. While mainstream Hindi-language Bollywood films are the most widely recognised globally, the industry encompasses a diverse array of regional film industries (such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, and others), contributing to a vibrant spectrum of storytelling, genres, and artistic expressions.

With its deep-rooted traditions of rich narratives, music, dance, drama, and emotional depth, Indian cinema resonates with audiences worldwide. India produces more films annually than any other country, and it has immense potential to become a global hub for film production. It has abundant resources, including diverse shooting locations (from mountains and deserts to beaches and urban settings), well-equipped studios, and advanced post-production facilities that meet world-class standards.

The event will continue till Jan. 18, 2026, featuring a total of five Bollywood films to showcase the vibrancy of Indian cinema to Cambodian audiences. The screening schedule for the remaining days are: Jan. 17 - Khaali Peeli at 5:00 PM and Gadar 2 at 7:30 PM, Jan. 18 - Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari at 5:00 PM and Rakshabandhan at 7:30 PM.

It is an ongoing effort by the Embassy of India to promote cultural diplomacy, especially under India's Act East Policy, which emphasises stronger engagement with Southeast Asia—including film, education, and heritage exchanges.

By C. Nika