This past weekend, January 16–18, 2026, two of our university students, Malee (Multimedia) and Daleine (Business English), volunteered at the Indian Film Festival 2026, held in Phnom Penh at Legend Cinemas, Olympia Mall.
The opportunity came through Ms. Rovelyn Camato (Rov), who previously assisted Micky in obtaining an internship, along with the team of Monyratana Pictures, which organized the film festival in collaboration with the Indian Embassy in Cambodia.
Over three days, Malee and Daleine were not just audience members—they were active contributors. They watched the films and then approached moviegoers after each screening to conduct short interviews. Speaking with both Khmer and international visitors, they asked questions about viewers’ experiences watching Indian films with Khmer subtitles, the storylines, performances, and how the films compared to Khmer cinema. The feedback they collected will help organizers improve future cultural events and strengthen cross-cultural exchange.
Throughout the festival, Malee and Daleine switched roles to learn the different aspects of impromptu interviewing. At times Malee asked the questions while Daleine handled the camera; at other times they swapped positions. This role-switching allowed both to practice new skills, challenge themselves, and better understand the process of storytelling and documentation.
Beyond the learning, Malee and Daleine genuinely enjoyed the films they watched. The storylines and plots were engaging and the subtitles—in both Khmer and English—made the movies easy to follow and meaningful for diverse audiences. Most of all, the films offered a glimpse into Indian culture, so full of emotions, music, and novelty. It was a cultural experience they truly appreciated.
This opportunity was valuable for both students in different ways. For Malee, whose university course focuses on multimedia, the experience connected directly to her studies. Working with cameras, engaging with people, and later organizing and editing content were hands-on lessons outside the classroom. It was learning through real experience—where curiosity, skill, creativity, and confidence came together.
“I’m happy to try different things aside from what we learn at university and at Little Hearts. I like the feeling of meeting different people with different backgrounds, nationalities, and ages. I love learning, and this experience helped me discover new things,” said Malee.
For Daleine, the experience was more personal but just as profound. She is naturally shy and still learning how to express herself, so stepping into a public space to interview strangers required courage. By switching roles with Malee, she was forced to speak up, ask questions, and slowly gain confidence, one conversation at a time.
“I hope I can overcome my shyness and learn how to adjust to different groups. I know I’m not there yet, but this experience is my first step to becoming more open and facing my fears,” Daleine said.
All in all, the weekend was a wonderful experience filled with learning, cultural exchange, and small but meaningful steps toward growth. It reminded us that education does not happen only in classrooms. It develops through stories, conversations, and moments that open young minds to a wider world. A big thank you to Ms. Rov for thinking of Little Hearts when this opportunity came along.