Vents

Meet Cambodian Media Mogul Nimol Bunchan

[as originally published on ventsmagazine.com]

As an unwavering leader in Cambodia’s film industry, Nimol Bunchan, CEO and Founder of SASTRA Film, has propelled her company from modest beginnings to a virtual industry juggernaut, currently employing 150 talented individuals and providing opportunities to over 200 artists annually.

Nimol’s journey traces back to her childhood dreams of becoming a writer. Born in Vietnam and growing up in the region of Kampuchea Krom, the budding visionary learned the Khmer language as a means to facilitate her creative goals. And in 1999, her family moved to Cambodia where she further pursued her passion for film by taking courses in screenwriting.

Although her initial post-graduation path led to journalism, her determination to contribute to the film industry remained resolved. In 2015, with the initial capital of a mere $1,000, she took a bold step and founded her film production company, SASTRA Film. Alongside her husband, family, and a single staff member, the company began producing 3-minute films which lived on Facebook. From these humble beginnings, and with her seemingly immeasurable passion for the arts and entrepreneurialism, the production company grew exponentially.

Nimol has since expanded her influence by founding numerous subsidiary companies under the SASTRA umbrella, including AKARA Animation and Chan Records. And in February 2021, she attained her crowning achievement when she launched the Sastra Film App, a video-on-demand streaming platform offering an exclusive, ads-free entertainment experience.

Nimol’s commitment to Cambodian entertainment now drives her to produce some 700 TV episodes, 20-plus feature films, as well as dozens of educational films and TV series annually. Her company’s diverse content also includes LGBTQ narratives as well as Buddhism content for mental and spiritual education. With SASTRA’s TV series consistently attaining the highest viewership in the country, the company has expanded its reach by providing Cambodian entertainment content to other countries in Southeast Asia.