In the last few years, I have purposely expanded my knowledge based beyond film disciplines. That was how I got connected with other Cambodian artists and arts managers over the years, especially thanks to Cambodian Living Arts. Last year, CLA’s then-Grant Manager, Sinath, shared her graduation from Asia Peace Innovators Forum. Although I don’t describe myself as a “peace activist or maker”, I find “films” instrumental in such noble pursuits. That was how my application headed for APIF 2024! Somehow, I was blessed enough to be selected with the results announced even before my festival programming workshop, by Cinema Without Borders. This double bill made perfect sense for me to apply for a multiple-entry visa to Europe through German Embassy as they represent both my destination countries: The Netherlands and Austria. Although I attended APIF later, say, in early this May, the event and fellows still led me to some intriguing discoveries as follows.
1- Peace is both personal and global
I believe each of us applying for APIF felt disturbed with an external issue that affects our inner peace. That was how we were triggered to be participating in such a forum. As much as the world has been incessantly on fights, mainly religiously motivated, I feel that we are each responsible for some solutions. Our personal peace would not remain as it has, until we pacify our surroundings. For me, “films” can be maximized, if not used, for such effects. It all depend on our approach. By chance, I happened to cross my path with several fellows who focus on “artivism” during that gathering!
2- Co-creation with the communities
The fellows with whom I have been working on a common project come from such varied backgrounds as academic research, foundation direction, art movement, game-based practices, community learning, legal expertise, and media studio. By the end of our forum, our team agreed on this idea to co-create our peace-building tools with our target communities back home, instead of imposing our acquis on their contexts or extract their knowledge as ours. We all stay on the same page of decolonizing or decentralizing such insight so the practices feels more interactive and engaging.
3- Peace education can be fun!
If you have followed my social media and this blog, you realize I tend to take “education” on a fun or experience basis, be it in filmmaking and other skills. I am certain the same methodology applies to education about peace. We can’t talk about peace without walking or living it ourselves. As much as we aim to reach out to the mass or communities, our ideas should be simple enough to touch their hearts 🙂 That is why our 3C Team (Capacitate/Co-Create/Co-Implement) has launched this project tentatively called: Power of Play for the Empowerment and Decolonization of Peace Education Learning Communities.
4- History enriches minuscule Salzburg
As part of our forum program, the over-40 of us were guided around Salzburg city, which I found picturesque and historically enriching. For some personal reason, I chose the city tour, against another option of history tour! So half of us followed a local charming tour guide in her late fifties to explore some landmarks. What impressed me most was the temporary place of Mozart, world-renowned music composer, the world’s oldest restaurant, a gothic church over the fortress of the city. Of course, the lake by the Schloss Leopoldskron herself reflects some deep serenity for any soul in her surrounding contemplation!
As time unfolds, what I have accepted seems to incline me toward “peace-building practices”, while my current background has been deep rooted in film production. Come what may, while our CCC team has pursued our project with some grant application, I continue my daily meditation as the source of inspiration and action outside of me…
PS: Will this “peace mindset” keep me traveling for the rest of this year? Let’s find out later!