Local Cinema: Khmer Mekong Films page gets millionth hit

Written by Christopher Shay

Wednesday, 20 May 2009 Phnom Penh Post

Local Cinema Khmer Mekong Films (KMF) reached an Internet milestone Sunday when its YouTube page had its millionth hit since the profile went up in 2008, making it one of the most popular Cambodian web pages. "It's a huge number of people. It indicates that there's a real interest in things Cambodian and in Cambodian films," said Matthew Robinson, KMF's executive director. KMF was founded in 2006 by a Khmer production team originally assembled and trained by the BBC. Since it opened for business, KMF has produced television shows, commercials, documentaries and a feature-length movie. Though KMF has won critical acclaim both in Cambodia and abroad, it is the company's YouTube page that has brought its diverse repertoire to a global audience. More than half of the KMF's page's hits come from the United States and France, which are home to large Khmer communities, making the page, according to Robinson, a popular site for "Cambodians hungry for a taste of home". The site has also been a surprise hit in South Korea and Japan. YouTube success has brought KMF enquiries from international distributors, Robinson said, but even more importantly, it has gotten people talking about their upcoming products even before they are released. "It's a great launch pad for a new movie," he said. Currently, KMF offers 118 clips on its YouTube page and has 487 subscribers who receive updates when a new video is uploaded.