Cambodia opens its first ever International Film Festival here on Wednesday to promote film industry and to value the production sector for both local and international ones.

This huge international event, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and endorsed by UNESCO and organized by FX Entertainment in association with the Cambodia Film Commission, will continue until Oct. 24 in the capital city.

Khim Sarith, secretary of state of Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said the purpose of holding this festival is to raise up the quality of Cambodian movie industry, to share experience and to approach international movie industry to shoot films in Cambodia.

Throughout the festival, about 120 movies from 28 countries and regions including those from Australia, China, Brazil, France, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines and the United States.

Types of movies include international independent films, award winning-documentaries, classic and modern Khmer films, youth- oriented films and films made in Cambodia, as well as showing some of the best locally produced TV dramas and music videos.

There will also be a strong emphasis on tourism with the opportunity to promote Cambodia as a country with rich culture.