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In the form of Photo Phnom Penh, The Angkor Photography Festival will grow this year to include six days of photo exhibitions in Phnom Penh.

The Angkor Photography Festival's first three Siem Reap soirées were all huge successes, with each year larger than the previous. Responding to the growing acclaim, organizers this year will split the event into two locations -- Siem Reap from November 23-28 and Phnom Penh from November 29 to December 7.

"Phnom Penh is growing very fast, and we meet everyday more and more Cambodians desiring to open their mind to cultural activities and art expression," says Alain Arnaudet, a Photo Phnom Penh organizer, regarding the decision to expand.

Photo Phnom Penh will offer 13 exhibitions to the public, including work by four Cambodian photographers.

"I think it's an opportunity for emerging photographers to show their work," says Vandy Rattana, whose photos will be on display. "It encourages them to work harder and progress in their photography."

Vandy Rattana says it is especially important for local photographers to participate and expand their talents. The exhibit will expose young Cambodian shooters to international work, and should inspire them to explore new techniques, he said.

Vandy Rattana's exhibit explores life on Cambodia's rubber plantations.

Thai photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom will also show work at Photo Phnom Penh. His exhibition, titled "Pink Man," explores the impacts of consumerism and tourism on Thailand, Cambodia and other countries in the region.

"The festival is an opportunity for Asian photographers to expose themselves to contemporary works produced by international and other photographers," Sriwanichpoom says. "These exchanges are a way of putting fresh water in an old pond. Ideas travel. The world of photography is growing."

The event, organized by the French Cultural Center in Phnom Penh, will show work in several public places throughout the capital. The artistic director is Christian Caujolle, photographer and creator of the department of photography for the national French newspaper "Liberation."

The outdoor events will include a special exhibit on the walls of the French Cultural Center by the 25-year-old photographer JR, whose works have been displayed on buildings throughout the world, and which are acclaimed for reaching out to people outside the art community.

In the park outside Wat Botum on the evenings of December 6 and 7, Photo Phnom Penh will make a public presentation of photo slideshows, each accompanied with music and narration, on a dozen outdoor screens.

© Jens Lasthein

The scope of this year's Angkor Photography Festival has been widened from last year's Asia-only focus to include work from around the world. Emphasis also will be placed on the promotion and training of local Asian artists.

In Siem Reap, work from 70 photographers will be displayed, including 30 from Asia. Hand selected by the festival's curators, the 30 Asian shutterbugs will study in a series of workshops taught by some of the region's biggest names in photography. The results from the workshops will be the highlight of the closing ceremonies at the FCC.

"Year after year, we have more and more people who come back," says festival coordinator Camille Plante. "The Angkor Photography Festival is becoming a real platform for photography in Southeast Asia."

CORRECTION (Nov 17): The Angkor Photography Festival is independent from Photo Phnom Pehn. The Wires regrets the error.

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