Kian Chap visits his family's crocodile farm as a baby. Kian Chap, with permission
Kian Chap, a homeschool student from Cambodia, has won the WOJ Youth Reporter Award at the 2025 MY HERO International Film Festival for his film More Crocodiles Than People. Chap’s film details how Cambodia came to have a higher population of Siamese crocodiles than people from breeding farms, and the conservation efforts that have been implemented to protect them.
Growing up in Siem Reap, Chap was surrounded by crocodiles. Like most people in the town, Chap’s father’s family owned crocodile farms and Chap would often visit the farms when seeing his relatives. Trying to settle on a subject for his film, Chap reached out to Megan English, a researcher and close family friend. When she suggested he tell the story of Cambodia’s crocodiles, Chap knew it was perfect.
Up until they were rediscovered in 2000, it was thought that Siamese crocodiles were extinct. Though native to Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, Siamese crocodiles can now be found almost exclusively in Cambodia and are still classed as critically endangered.[1]
To learn more about reptile conservation efforts, Chap spoke with the Senior Curator of Animals at the Angkor Centre for Wildlife and Aquarium, Mark Dainty. “Mark is a great person,” Chap told MY HERO. “He and his team keep the reptiles safe in their habitats and saves many of them from people.”
Meeting Dainty only furthered Chap’s passion for conservation and the protection of animals. He explained
This film is about the Siamese crocodiles, the importance of keeping these near extinct reptiles safe in a safe environment. [Mark] told us just how important it is to keep all animals safe.
Inspired by Dainty’s words, Chap recently adopted five abandoned puppies, giving them the home and care they so desperately needed.
On his hopes for the future, Chap shared
I am following the path I choose; I am just hoping I am choosing the right path.
Watch More Crocodiles Than People here.
About the WOJ Youth Reporter Award
The WOJ Youth Reporter Award celebrates youth reporters who are creating videos on heroes making a positive difference in their community and the world. Esther Wojcicki, an outstanding media arts educator, author and journalist, presents this award.
About the MY HERO International Film Festival
The MY HERO International Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to showcasing films that celebrate the power of the human spirit. The festival provides a platform for filmmakers to share inspirational stories of everyday heroes. Thanks to generous sponsors, prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college and professionals in a variety of categories including documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more.
The festival aims to inspire audiences to recognize the heroism in their own lives and encourage positive actions in their communities. Learn more.
[1] https://ptes.org/grants/worldwide-projects/siamese-crocodiles-cambodia/
Page created on 1/12/2026 2:35:37 PM
Last edited 1/12/2026 2:44:05 PM
