Following independence in 1953, both the Royal Lao Government and the Lao Patriotic Front turned out propaganda newsreels and documentaries in support of their respective causes. The oldest known Lao film footage in existence is one of the three original reels of the documentary film Khuan Khet Taohom Song Khoueng (‘Gathering in the Zone of Two Provinces’), dating from 1956 and shot in Houaphanh and Phongsali Provinces by the LPF's Film Production Unit with assistance from Vietnamese filmmakers. Other important revolutionary propaganda films emanating from the liberated north east during the period 1960-1975 include Sao Bi Haeng Karnpatiwath (’20 Years of Revolution’, 1965), Sayxana Laduleng (‘Summer Victory’, 1970) and Daene Haeng Issara (‘The Land of Freedom’, 1970). Meanwhile in Vientiane the Royal Lao Government produced numerous government propaganda films and several documentaries on the activities of the royal family.

Laos’ first feature films – Khukhak Pheunkhaen (‘The Untrue and True Friend’) and Phaenedin Khong Hao (‘Our Land’) – were produced in the early 1960s by the Propaganda Department of the Royal Lao Army for screening in the countryside by mobile cinema crews. Thereafter an embryonic commercial film industry emerged in Vientiane; having no studios or equipment of their own, local filmmakers were obliged to rent these for each new production; all post production was carried out in neighbouring Thailand. One leading Lao filmmaker of this period was Khamking Bandasak, who is best known for the film Samkhing (‘Three Wheels’, c1965-1970). According to surviving documents, no fewer than nine other Lao feature films were screened at local cinemas during the period 1960-1975, though their content and the names of their directors remains a mystery. The films in question were Sata Nang (‘The Fate of the Girl’), Muaxin Khuanmok (‘When the Fog Dissappears’), Tai Dam Lamphanh (‘The Black Tai of Lamphanh’), Namchay Sao Saravane (‘Heart of the Saravane Girl’), Sua Chomdoi (‘Tiger of the Mountain Top’), Namta Sao Ophayob (‘Tears of the Refugee Girl’), Song Fangkhong (‘Two Banks of the Mekong’) and the dramas Kalaket and Khunlu Nang Ua.