Written by Tom Deehan on Nov 30, 2015. Posted in General Interest

Angelina Jolie seeks to improve the Cambodian film industry

Actress, director and humanitarian Angelina Jolie, in an effort to boost the currently failing Cambodian film industry will serve as the president of the honourary committee for this year’s Cambodia International Film Festival. Her interaction with the festival is expected to spark interest in the country as a filming location.

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

Part of Jolie’s interest in Cambodia stems from the fact that her son Maddox was born there. Jolie has also established two charities in Cambodia, the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation and the Maddox Chivan Children's Center.

Jolie explained: “Cambodia's rich history, long culture and talented people mean it has a huge amount to offer the region and the world... I'm proud to support the Cambodia International Film Festival and Cambodia as a home for vibrant and innovative filmmaking.”

Very few films have been shot in Cambodia but among the list there are some high profile blockbusters including Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which was filmed on location at the Angkor temples.

While there are no incentive programmes operating in Cambodia, there are other factors to consider that would appeal to potential productions. As a location, Cambodia is more affordable than other places and there is no tax to be paid on any imported or exported film related equipment.

Jolie herself has also been part of multiple productions in Cambodia, firstly having been the leading actress in 2001s video game to film adaptation, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and now recently deciding to shoot her upcoming film First They Killed My Father in the country.