From Refugee Camp Pencils to Digital Styluses: The 40-Year Lineage Behind Skinny Fish

The French Teacher and the Charcoal Pencil: Art as Survival on the Border  

In 1986, along the baked earth of the Thai-Cambodian border, a quiet revolution began in the crowded bamboo and wooden houses of the Site 2 refugee camp. There were no grand theaters, no spotlights, and no orchestras. There was a French teacher started drawing workshops to help traumatized war orphans and kids in the community who suffered from the heavy weight of recent history. A French teacher – Véronique Decrop begins drawing workshop to help the children in site to find the voice and light by charcoal pencil. 

What started in those displacement camps wasn't just a simple art class; it was a lifeline to process the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. It was a space where the unspeakable could finally be drawn, where trauma could be externalized, and where a fractured generation could begin to heal. 

Photo credit: Supplied

Over Forty Years, the Flame of Art Burns Brighter Through Phare  

Over the last forty years, those early whispers of survival have evolved into a roaring symphony of creativity, broadcast from Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang to the rest of the world. This extraordinary arts school has become a beacon where generations of Cambodian artists truly shine. Through world-class training in circus, dance, music, and theater—and driven especially by its School of Visual and Applied Arts—Phare is actively shaping a new generation of Khmer designers and animators who are bursting with original style and boundless imagination. 

The impact of this evolution stretches far beyond the classroom; it is a full-scale cultural renaissance. By empowering these young creatives with the tools to tell their own stories, Phare is ensuring that Cambodia’s rich heritage is no longer just preserved but dynamically reimagined for the digital age. As these designers step onto the global stage, they carry with them the resilient spirit of their predecessors, proving that the artistic flame ignited in a border camp forty years ago is now burning brighter than ever. 

Photo: Credit to owner

From Charcoal to Screen: Phare Creative Studio and Cambodia's First Animated Feature 

Out of this rich artistic soil grew Phare Creative Studio, a dynamic social enterprise based right here in Battambang province. Born directly from its parent NGO, Phare Ponleu Selpak, the studio acts as a professional launchpad—gathering the most talented graduates from the School of Visual and Applied Arts. Bound by a collaborative spirit and overflowing with creative energy, this homegrown team is on a united mission to bring the unique brilliance of Khmer arts to the global stage. 

And now, that very same spirit has breathed life into Skinny Fish (Kaun Trei)—Cambodia's first-ever hand-drawn animated feature film. This groundbreaking Khmer animation is far more than just onscreen entertainment; it serves as a living masterclass, training the next generation of Cambodian creators while raising critical funds to sustain free arts education for hundreds of children back at Phare. 

Photo: Credit to owner

Behind the Script: How Writer Brett Harston Amplifies Cambodia's Voice 

This deeply Cambodian story was penned by Brett Harston, a New Zealand writer who has spent a considerable amount of time travelling to Cambodia to capture the authentic essence of the Cambodian way of life. Through his script, Brett has crafted a lasting legacy meant to make Khmer people profoundly proud of who they are. It serves as a powerful reminder of the community’s incredible strength and unyielding resilience—a message that urges audiences to never give up on their dreams, no matter how deep the waters. 

Brett Harston's quote: “As a foreign writer, my role is to listen, respect, and amplify. I was inspired to tell this story because Cambodia's true heritage isn't just in its ancient history, but in the quiet, everyday sacrifices of its people. I wanted to dedicate my work to capturing the reality I actually saw: fierce loyalty, incredible resilience, and deep love. When a young Cambodian watches this film, I want them to sit up a little straighter. I want them to feel seen and validated. I hope Rithy's journey reminds them that their roots, their villages, and their everyday struggles are not just valid – they are cinematic, powerful, and worthy of the world's attention.” 

We see this resilience perfectly mirrored in Rithy, the film's twelve-year-old protagonist. Lured away by the false promises of wicked people, Rithy is torn from his beautiful, familiar life in a village along the Mekong River and plunged into a living nightmare in the deep waters off Sihanoukville. Yet, despite his young age and the crushing weight of his circumstances, he refuses to surrender his hope, his dreams, or his innate goodness. Fighting day after day in the dark depths of the ocean, Rithy keeps moving forward—driven by a fierce love for his family and a determination to claim a better life for those he holds dear. 

Photo credit: Supplied

Meet the Animators: The Hands Behind the Drawings 

Behind Rithy’s fictional resilience stands a very real team of fighters: the animators of Phare Creative Studio. Day after day, our animation team pours boundless energy, strength, and creative passion into every sketch, channeling the rich heritage of Khmer arts directly into Skinny Fish. We carry this project forward because we deeply believe that this cultural legacy will not only shine brightly across Cambodia, but will illuminate screens all around the world. But have you ever wondered who these incredibly talented creators actually are? Let’s meet the hands behind the drawings. 

“The story of Skinny Fish isn't just a great full-length animated movie—it's also full of wonderful life lessons and a beautiful trip down memory lane for Cambodians from the 1990s. What makes it truly special is that it’s made entirely by Cambodian animator's hands.”  - Sok, Animator of Skinny Fish 

“What I love and get most excited about is the magic of bringing drawings to life through movement. There are a few core parts of the process that completely captivate me: 

• Layout & Camera Framing: Figuring out the perfect angles to instantly hook the audience and pull them into the story. 

• Tech Meets Art: Using tools like Blender to seamlessly transform 3D elements into a classic 2D animation style. 

• The Animation Itself: Giving movements a genuine sense of vitality—making them feel vivid, dynamic, and full of soul.” - Chen, Animator of Skinny Fish 

“I am absolutely thrilled and deeply proud to have been a part of bringing Skinny Fish to life. This is our very first feature-length animated film—a massive milestone and a completely new journey for our entire team. The story itself is a beautiful mirror to reality, capturing the essence of perseverance, sacrifice, responsibility, and the bravery it takes to venture out into the world to build a better life for your family.” - Thuokna, Illustrator of Skinny Fish 

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