SE Asia Cinema Adventures Begin: Part 1 Arrival in Hanoi I arrived in Southeast Asia in 2004, initially arriving in Hanoi, Vietnam to look for teaching work. I had been planning to balance out my filmmaking background with some teaching experience for practical reasons, as I had spent every last dime producing my 2nd feature movie, ‘Lost in New Mexico’, and realized I needed an additional skill set to establish a buffer during lean times. My first feature documentary, ‘BookWars’, was still making sales and bringing in some revenue, but I knew I needed to stay ahead of the curve….

When I founded #Cambodia‘s first international #film festival, CamboFest (www.cambofest.com) back in 2007/2550 while studying for my MA in Development Studies at Royal University of Phnom Penh, I had no idea we would be paving the way for so many new younger brother and sister fests in the region which would come along after us: the Luang Phrabang Film Festival, the Cambodia International Film Festival, the Chaktumak Short Film Festival, the Phnom Penh International film Festival, and several others. Thanks to all Cambodian colleagues who helped develop the cinema sector in Cambodia and the region – the King Father thanks you from high…