Davy Chou's DIAMOND ISLAND wins award for Best Film at Mumbai International Film Festival

Anti-Archive is honored to announce that DIAMOND ISLAND, the first narrative feature film from Khmer-French director Davy CHOU, has received the prize for best film in the international competition at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MAMI), India’s largest festival.

MUMBAI, INDIA—Cambodian film production company Anti-Archive is excited and honored to announce that DIAMOND ISLAND, the first narrative feature film from Khmer-French director Davy CHOU, has received the Golden Gateway Award for best film in the international competition at the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MAMI), the largest and most prestigious film festival in India.

Esteemed Portuguese director Miguel GOMES, who led the highly regarded international competition jury, announced the award as follows: "The winner of this award goes to a simple but graceful coming-of-age story. It takes place in a new world, but with old-fashioned emotions: love friendship, family, and, of course, class struggle. Artistically bold and truly, truly joyful, the Golden Gateway Award goes by unanimous decision to DIAMOND ISLAND, directed by Davy CHOU."

The award in Mumbai is the fourth for DIAMOND ISLAND, following the SACD award at Cannes Critic’s Week, and the top prizes at Cabourg Film Festival (France) and the International Francophone Film Festival in Namur (Belgium). Anti-Archive is truly grateful to receive these awards and is happy to announce that DIAMOND ISLAND coincidentally saw its Cambodian theatrical release yesterday, 27 October 2016, as well. The film will be released in France in December 2016.

DIAMOND ISLAND, directed by Davy CHOU, was produced by Charlotte VINCENT of Aurora Films (France) and co-produced by Davy CHOU, Steve CHEN, and Kavich NEANG of Anti-Archive (Cambodia), as well as Vycky Films (France), Arte France Cinema (France), Vandertastic Films (Germany), and 185 FILMS (Thailand). On hearing of the award, Charlotte VINCENT said: “We are very flattered that this impressive jury has chosen DIAMOND ISLAND! It’s really encouraging at the same moment as the Cambodian release of the film.”

The film’s writer, director, and producer, Davy CHOU, explained his reaction: “It's a huge honor. I love the Mumbai festival as I attended it in 2013 with my previous film, GOLDEN SLUMBERS. I wish I could have attended this time also, but it just happened to be the same day as the film's premiere in Cambodia, where the film belongs. It was an immensely satisfying and humbling moment to be able to share this film with Khmer audiences and the Khmer cast and crew, which put so much heart into the project, while also receiving this kind of surprise commendation from far away, at India's biggest festival led by a jury for whom I have such immense respect. To hear such kind words from Miguel GOMES about the film gives the award an even more special feeling. This is a beautiful moment for the film, and I want to thank the Mumbai Film Festival and the Jury for their choice."

28.10.16 Mumbai Diamond Island
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