MARG1N is a Southeast Asian film magazine based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our annual publication links two Southeast Asian countries under a single theme, exploring cinema peripherally.

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MARG1N is an independent, print-only film magazine based in Cambodia, supported by Anti-Archive. We celebrate and bridge together regional writers, artists, and filmmakers through the lenses of Southeast Asian cinema under a different topic each year.

TRACES

As of 2025, our most recent release is Issue 2, entitled Traces. It covers Vietnamese and Singaporean cinema through the issue’s titular themes. Please view Issues for a more detailed overview of our catalog.

Why is MARG1N print-only?

MARG1N was partially created in response to our collective weariness about social media and the attention economy. After spending countless hours online—whether for work, leisure, or social connections—immersing ourselves in another tactile hobby can be refreshing. Furthermore, due to the limited demand, many Southeast Asian film writers and critics find it difficult to publish their works on our cinemas on traditional outlets, let alone in print.

We’re also enthralled with the possibilities of combining graphic design with film writing. Each page is tailor-made by our designer, Sonich Touch, to further push the themes of our pieces through a bold visual flair and direction. For instance, in Issue 1, we played with semi-opaque papers. Issue 2 has fold-out pages and a wider range of printed colors compared to Issue 1. While translating those ideas into the cyberspace would be possible—and is arguably an under-explored option within film criticism—to enact those ideas would require additional manpower and a more extensive monetization strategy than we cannot currently commit to.

Our goal is to create an alternative space that preserves a writer’s voice; offers modest honorariums; and fosters community through in-person events and screenings. We envisioned a thoughtful publication that could outlast trend cycles and the whims of algorithms—something you could carry on commutes, long-haul flights, or wherever life takes you.

OTHER FAQS

Regardless of the above, I’d love to read samples on the web. Do you have any online pieces?
Film Comment has republished an interview-essay from Issue 1. If you would like to gauge our publication’s tone and content, please read it here. This is the only piece to make it online so far.

Why the 2-3 countries per issue?
The initial pairing of Issue 1 was Cambodia and the Philippines, where the editors and publishers come from. With this being our first experience in self-publishing, starting out in familiar territories to test the waters made the most sense. The Philippines and Cambodia share a few things in common, such as bagoong and prahok, but our countries had paltry ties to one another in the realms of film.

Part of what we wanted to accomplish with this magazine was to solidify Southeast Asian solidarity within us and our neighbors. If we have no history to draw from, then we must carve out our own alliances through our present actions. While reading this magazine, you may notice similarities between the two countries, or between yourself and what was once an unfamiliar neighbor. MARG1N relishes in drawing out the unexpected parallels from unconventional pairings.

I know little about Southeast Asian cinema or film in general. Would I still be able to enjoy your offerings?
While MARG1N is crafted with cinephiles in mind, one of our goals was to offer an accessible English-speaking gateway to the Southeast Asian film scene, regardless of your starting point. The way we convey our topics is clear and direct, avoiding highfalutin approaches while retaining the meat of the ideas. If you’re fond of print culture or graphic design, you may find joy in simply flipping through the issue. Of course, your mileage may vary. We appreciate you taking the leap if you dare!

What are the printing specs of the magazine?
Please view Issues for more information about the specifications of each issue. Many thanks to Beegin Print & Pack, our printing house based in Phnom Penh, for ensuring the quality of our final print.

Are you publishing anything outside of the magazine?
We’re interested in doing so, but haven’t scheduled anything concrete at the moment.

I’m interested in distributing copies of the magazine within Southeast Asia or overseas. To where may I forward that query?
Thank you! Please email us at 𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓰1𝓷@𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓽𝓸𝓷𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝓶 without the cursive letters.

What will Issue 3 be about?
We’ll be moving onto three different Southeast Asian countries with another theme. The full teaser is available on the last page of Issue 2! Stay tuned to our online updates post-publication for the public call.

Is there a way to keep in the loop with the project?
Besides keeping an eye out on this website, you may follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Tiktok.