KAMNOP

ABOUT THE FILM
KAMNOP is a feature documentary about a mother, Kanika, and her daughter, Kanitha, who set off on a treasure hunt in their homeland of Cambodia. This is a quest for justice, gold, and karma that explores intergenerational trauma, healing, and the complexity of family bonds. This modern-day adventure offers moments of tenderness, difficult conversations, awkward situations, and lots of laughter. By the end, Kanitha, Kanika, and the audience will discover something far more valuable than material treasure. Maybe, they’ll find the real treasure is something much deeper that they’ve been seeking all along.

THE VISION
Think Wes Anderson meets Indiana Jones as we follow a mother-daughter treasure hunt that unearths more than just buried gold. Now picture The Mole Agent meets The Act of Killing, as we bring an unexpected warmth and playfulness to a story of historical weight.

That’s KAMNOP. We balance serious themes with moments of tenderness and levity, navigating complex issues like intergenerational trauma, displacement, and reconciliation, while maintaining a sense of hope and possibility. It resonates in today’s world, as we witness unprecedented global displacement, polarization, and negativity.

Finally, imagine a story where mystery, historical memory, killing fields, and land rights intertwine with Buddha, dreams, beauty salons, ghosts, and dragons. Kamnop is a wild and fun, yet deeply profound modern tale aimed at global audiences. It speaks to those concerned about urgent, global issues, but still crave warmth, laughter, and hope.

THE FILMMAKERS

KANITHA HENG SNOW
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER

Kanitha Heng Snow is a writer, social impact leader, and first-time filmmaker whose work explores war, displacement, and their lasting effects on individuals and communities. Committed to supporting refugees and immigrants in building a sense of wealth, worth, and well-being, she serves as the Executive Director of the Colgate Writers Conference and is actively involved in nonprofit leadership. She sits on the boards of The Village Institute (Aurora, CO), which empowers refugee and immigrant mothers and youth, and the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (Denver, CO), which advocates for AANHPI communities through cultural exchange and education.

She has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Columbia University. Her memoir, I Am My Mother’s Mother: A Story of Birth, Death, and Reincarnation, explores intergenerational trauma, memory, and motherhood across Cambodia and America. This memoir also inspired her directorial debut with Kamnop.

GUILLERMO ROQUES
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER

Guillermo Roques is a journalist by training and a filmmaker by passion. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, a Master’s in Film Scriptwriting, and a Diploma in European Journalism from the universities of Aarhus and Utrecht. With over a decade of experience working for production companies and television networks in the U.S., his work spans diverse global contexts, from covering terrorism in Corsica to documenting Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria, ex-Soviet chess players in Spain, and Navajo bullfighters in Arizona.

His films explore themes of inclusion, community, housing, memory, and responsibility. Pianola (2012) examines disability inclusion in the performing arts, The Right to Rest (2019) delves into a self-governed homeless community in the U.S., and You Play My Father (2023) follows a Bosnian Srebrenica survivor and a former UN Dutchbat soldier confronting the past through theater. He is currently in production on The Dutchbat (2026), a feature-length documentary exploring war trauma and the lasting psychological consequences that can put lives on hold.

PROJECT STATUS
Kamnop is currently in development, with a pre-production trip planned for April-May 2025 and full production targeted for late 2025/early 2026.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
We’re seeking partners who can offer financial support for our development phase. We are currently raising $50,000 to support the development of our film. These funds will enable comprehensive on-the-ground research in Cambodia, including location scouting, equipment testing, and preliminary interviews. The budget also covers hiring local Cambodian crew members, engaging cultural consultants, accessing archival materials, and securing necessary permits and travel documentation. Your contribution will directly support this essential groundwork that will allow us to embark on our treasure hunt.

Supporters will receive special thanks credits, invitations to initial screenings, and original artwork. As a fiscally sponsored film, all donations are fully tax-deductible.

If you are interested in deeper involvement, we have additional benefits for contributions of $25,000 and above. Please connect with us directly to explore what we’re offering to our biggest allies!

For more, please check us out on IG @kamnopfilm, visit our website, or email us at kanitha@kanithaheng.com. Thanks for your support!