Staff – Chaktomuk Short Film Festival

Masoud Soheili is an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker and festival programmer known for his award-winning films Blue-eyed Boy (2014) and Elephantbird (2019), which collectively garnered over 40 prizes at 300+ international festivals. As a juror, he has contributed to festivals in India, Turkey, Ghana, Portugal, Indonesia, and beyond. A co-founder of Islamabad’s Asia Peace Film Festival, he also programs for Istanbul’s Changing Perspective Festival, Bali’s Minikino Film Week, and the UK’s Bay International Film Festival, showcasing his global cinematic influence.

Educated in law at Ferdowsi University, Masoud pivoted to cinema, studying at Indonesia’s Art Institute and Busan’s Asian Film School. He further honed his craft through a European Film Master’s program (KinoEyes) across Portugal, Estonia, and Scotland, graduating in 2024. Beyond filmmaking, his photography and videography have appeared in National Geographic, AJ+, and VICE. In 2023, his feature documentary premiered at Japan’s Yamagata Festival, while his production credits include Co-exist and Land of Demons documentaries.

Masoud’s debut photo book, Durian on My Head, encapsulates his artistic journey across these nations. Blending visual storytelling with cultural diplomacy, his work bridges continents, reflecting a career dedicated to innovation and cross-cultural dialogue in film and photography.

KEO Samneang has been actively involved in the creative industry in Cambodia for over a decade. After embarking on his event management experience, a few years later, he shifted his focus to commercial media and advertising. Ever since, he has put his passion and critical sense of rigor to the best use for Box Media Production, as CEO. Under his belt, he has serviced and produced a variety of creative pieces from commercial photography to feature film production. Aside from his day job, he loves sharing his wealth of practical experience with younger fellows at Norton Universities and other academia or training courses. This year, not only has he hosted the activities and operations of Sunflower Film Organization and its affiliated annual projects, but also contributed to Sunflower Film Alliance as Directing Trainer and Chaktomuk Short Film Festival as Festival Manager.