Cambodia & Film: ‘Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites’ wins prestigious Sundance award

In a historic moment for Cambodian cinema, Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites, a touching new short film by Cambodian director and screenwriter Chheangkea, has won the Short Film Jury Prize for International Drama at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites. Photo supplied

Announced on Tuesday 28 January, this distinction was awarded by a jury of renowned filmmakers and actors, including Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny), Maggie Mackay (Sundance Institute) and Kibwe Tavares (The Kitchen), confirming the film's place among the festival's most talked-about cinematic works.

A triumphant premiere at Sundance

The film, which had its world premiere at Sundance, captivated audiences and critics alike with the depth of its narrative and the emotions it exudes. Directed by Chheangkea and produced by Daniel Mattes and Karen Madar under the Anti Archive banner, Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites explores themes of family dynamics, cultural identity and generational ties - a story that resonated deeply with the festival's inclusive environment.

Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites. Photo supplied

The entire team, including lead actor Rith Bonrotanak, attended the festival, celebrating the warm reception the film received.

Additional screenings and second stop: Rotterdam

Following its win at Sundance, the film received two additional screenings this weekend in Park City and Salt Lake City as part of the festival's presentation of the winners. But the journey is far from over. Fresh from their success in Utah, Chheangkea and the team travelled to the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), where Grandma Nai had its European premiere on 31 January.

A rising star of Cambodian cinema

The success of Chheangkea marks a high point for the Cambodian film industry. With its blend of intimate stories and universal themes, Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites highlights the ability of local stories to reach audiences across borders.

The film's recognition at Sundance - a festival renowned for championing independent and diverse voices - augurs a bright future for young Cambodian creators on the international scene.

Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites. Bande-Annonce

The next steps

As anticipation builds, audiences can keep up to date with future screenings and distribution plans on the film's official page: www.antiarchive.com/grandmanai. With festivals in Rotterdam and beyond, Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites is set to spark conversations - and perhaps reap further rewards - in the months ahead.