empowering the next generation of storytellers
Apsara is more than a lens brand—it’s a movement to democratize filmmaking. With every lens set sold, a portion of proceeds goes toward funding Apsara Academy, a non-profit initiative dedicated to training emerging filmmakers in developing regions around the world.
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Our mission is to provide access to tools, mentorship, and hands-on education for aspiring storytellers who lack resources but not vision.
Whether in Cambodia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, or other underserved creative communities, Apsara Academy helps empower voices that deserve to be heard—and seen.
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Because cinema belongs to everyone.
THE INSPIRATION
​The idea for Apsara Academy was born on the very soil where Apsara Lenses were first tested—Cambodia.
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During pre-production for the Apsara launch films, founder Ron Sim csc discovered that much of the local crew had received little to no formal film education. Despite Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage and centuries of storytelling, the country still lacks a national film training program.
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But what the crew lacked in training, they more than made up for in passion, grit, and unshakable curiosity. Some had learned solely from YouTube. Others were stepping onto a film set for the first time. Yet all of them showed up with open minds, full hearts, and a hunger to create.
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The films you see today—shot on the sacred grounds of Angkor—were made with the hands and hearts of these incredible individuals, in proud collaboration with Fast Films Cambodia.
Apsara Academy exists because of them.
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APSARA - BEHIND THE SCENES
PROOF THAT HEART, NOT BUDGET, MAKES CINEMA
The Apsara launch films were not made in ideal conditions. They were created during Cambodia’s monsoon season, shot entirely on location at Angkor, where the rain rolls in without warning and every beam of light is fleeting.
But this wasn’t a limitation—it was the point.
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Rather than bring in a seasoned international crew, Ron Sim csc chose to build a local team in partnership with Fast Films Cambodia. The cast and crew were mostly self-taught, many working on their first major project. The risk was high, but the potential was undeniable.
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To keep the production nimble and accessible, we chose to shoot on the Sony FX3—not because it’s the most expensive or prestigious camera, but to demonstrate that with the right lenses, a tight crew, and a focused vision, you can achieve something extraordinary.
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And we did.
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From sunrise rituals at Angkor Wat to romantic night scenes lit by lanterns and moonlight, every frame was captured using Apsara Lenses. The results speak for themselves: soft contrast, painterly texture, organic flares, and soulful imperfections—hallmarks of lenses made by a company that doesn’t just claim vintage character, but has lived it.
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This collaboration is more than a film production.
It’s a statement of what’s possible.
It’s a testament to the power of trust, to the potential of overlooked talent,
and to the possibilities within every Apsara lens.