Cambodian horror, "Tenement" won Best Film at ASEAN International Film Fest 2025

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Cambodian horror, "Tenement" won Best Film at ASEAN International Film Fest 2025

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Writer: Heidi Hsia

Cambodia's "Tenement" takes top prize at AIFFA 2025

17 Nov - Cambodian film "Tenement" has successfully won Best Film at the ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards 2025 (AIFFA2025).

The movie, a folk horror directed by newcomers Inrasothythep Neth and Sokyou Chea, bested other contenders that include Malaysia's "Abang Adik", Indonesia's "Crocodile Tear" and the Philippines' "Some Nights I Feel Like Walking" among others.

However, the Best Director award was won by Pham Thien An for Vietnam's "Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell", while Taiwan's Wu Kang-ren won Best Actor for his performance in "Abang Adik".

Simon Yam seen here with Malaysian actor, Andy Teh

Simon Yam receiving the ASEAN Inspiration Award from Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, witnessed by Jaffri Amin Osman, AIFFA Executive Director and Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

The AIFFA 2025 gala brought together a distinguished lineup of talents across film, music, and the arts. As flashes lit the night, legendary actor Simon Yam made his entrance alongside Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, AIFFA Executive Director Jaffri Amin Osman, filmmaker Lav Diaz, and Southeast Asia's leading talents from music icons Dato' M. Nasir and Ruth Sahanaya, to performers Mimifly, Vince Chong and Ronnie Jupiter.

Ronnie Jupiter presented his sound and style on stage

M Nasir performed on the Grand Ballroom stage of Pullman Kuching Hotel

Held in Pullman Kuching Hotel and hosted by Sarawak's own Tony Eusoff, also in attendance were Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

All 200 entries were screened by a jury consisting of several countries chaired by renowned director U-Wei Hj Saari, Herman Van Eykeni (Belgium), Mohanad Hayal (Iraq), Nik Amir Mustapha (Malaysia) and Embi C Noer (Indonesia).

Filipino auteur Lav Diaz (second from left) received the Lifetime Achievement Award

The winners of AIFFA2025 are as follows:

Best Film: Tenement (Cambodia)
Best Director: Pham Thien An - Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (Vietnam)
Best Screenplay: The Gospel of the Beast (Philippines)
Best Film Editing: Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (Vietnam)
Best Cinematography: Some Nights I Feel Like Walking (Philippines)
Best Actress: Yunita Siregar - Home Sweet Loan (Indonesia)
Best Actor: Wu Kang-ren - Abang Adik (Malaysia)
Best Supporting Actress: Sweet Qismina - Babah (Malaysia)
Best Supporting Actor: Ronnie Lazaro - The Gospel of the Beast (Philippines)
Special Jury Award: Tegkang (Malaysia) & Waiters (Brunei)
ASEAN Inspiration Award: Simon Yam
Spirit Award: Mbutik (Indonesia)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lav Diaz (Filipino Director)

Cinema Online, 17 November 2025