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Respoken

A visionary actor and his team fight to revive Spoken Theater in Cambodia, facing personal and professional challenges, as he prepares for a major show after six years amidst an uncertain future.

  • Sidney Ken
    Director
    Chea Niron (2022), One Month (2023)
  • Thai Phirun Hul
    Director
  • Kimkahaptei Tann
    Producer
  • Chandara Koam
    Assistant Camera
  • Phearith Nen
    Key Cast
  • Sidney Ken
    Editors
  • Chandara Koam
    Editors
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    និយាយឡើងវិញ
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    26 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Cambodia
  • Country of Filming:
    Cambodia
  • Language:
    Central Khmer
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 13th Chaktomuk Short Film Festival
    Phnom Penh
    Cambodia
    October 26, 2024
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • 4th Cambodia National Short Film Festival
    Phnom Penh
    Cambodia
    November 26, 2024
    Best Documentary Award
  • 14th Cambodia International Film Festival
    Phnom Penh
    Cambodia
    March 21, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Lift-Off Global Filmmaker Session

    Online Premiere
    Trailblazer
  • 3rd Cambodia Asian Film Festival
    Phnom Penh
    Cambodia
    September 6, 2025
    Best Short Film
  • 3rd Cambodia Asian Film Festival
    Phnom Penh
    Cambodia
    September 6, 2025
    Best Short Film Director
Director Biography - Sidney Ken, Thai Phirun Hul

Sidney Ken is an award-winning filmmaker based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, specializing in documentaries that address social change, culture, and environmental issues. His recent film, Respoken (2024), received the Best Documentary Award at the 4th Cambodia National Short Film Festival (CNSFF) recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and was an Official Selection at the 13th Chaktomuk Short Film Festival (CSFF), with multiple screenings across Cambodian cinemas.

In 2022, Sidney directed a short documentary for USAID Cambodia, focusing on a youth-led Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) project. He also collaborated with the Ministry of Environment, UNDP, and the European Union to create the Project Achievement video for Phase 3 of the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance.

Beyond documentary filmmaking, Sidney is a Blackmagic Design certified commercial colorist, known for his expertise in color grading across various commercial and narrative projects. His technical skills and artistic approach enhance the visual storytelling of films, advertisements, and branded content. He is also a Samsung Galaxy Student Ambassador, representing innovation in mobile filmmaking and content creation.

As he continues to expand his work, Sidney is exploring new genres, including dystopian themes, while developing upcoming documentaries in collaboration with NGOs. His projects aim to push the boundaries of Cambodian cinema by combining compelling storytelling with fine visuals.

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Director Statement

I love listening to people's life stories, and have been fortunate enough to tell a few of those with this craft of filmmaking. Looking forward to more!