It’s our goal to stay true to our mission in cultivating awareness of important topics that affect our society through the medium of film. We can’t wait to share these films with everyone! - Festival Director, Michael Ashjian
Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) November 12, 2014
The Arpa International Film Festival (http://www.ArpaFilmFestival.com) has announced the official program and selections for its 17th Annual International Film Festival, a 3-night premiere event. Opening night red carpet and screenings will take place at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Friday, November 14th. Arpa, per tradition, will close out the festival on Sunday, November 16th with the official award ceremony announcing Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Short Film, Best Music Video, Best Director and Best Screenwriter.
The festival will showcases 50 films from over 16 countries. This years distinguished panel of judges include producer/director Marc Bienstock; VP of Production at Lotus Entertainment, Angus Sutherland; President of Feature Division at Aspire Entertainment, Campbell McInnes; Original Entertainment's Daljit DJ Parmar; Emmy award-winning producer Stan Brooks; and award-winning filmmaker/actor Sebastian Siegel.
Two international premieres are set to capture the attention of audiences; short film "Catatonia," written and directed by Karen Khosrovyan and Armenian feature film "Tevanik." Jivan Avetisyan’s film Tevanik, captures the trials and tribulations of wartime and is told in three parts. Screening at 7:45PM on Friday evening.
Both films will open the festival on Friday evening followed by one of this year’s biggest festival circuit hits, "I Believe In Unicorns," which was reviewed as one of the “biggest breakouts of the 2014 SXSW Film Festival” by Indie Wire.
Film screenings will continue at the Egyptian Theatre on Saturday, November 15th starting at 12:15PM in the Spielberg Theatre with gripping documentaries, "Hannah: Buddhism’s Untold Journey" and "You Have His Eyes." Saturday features also include Eric Boadella’s "Toastmaster," starring David Hovan.
Theremin master Armen Ra recounts his dynamic journey in the documentary, "When My Sorrow Died," for
Saturday evenings centerpiece screening at 7:30PM. The award-winning film mixes rare concert performances, candid interviews, and archive material with the magical power of music.
“What makes Robert Nazar Arjoyan's film so entertaining is that its subject loves the camera almost as much as the camera loves Armen Ra. Whether preening at home like a 1940s femme fatale or performing live in concert, Armen is very much his own creation.” -The Huffington Post
Rounding out Saturday’s centerpiece is, "37:A Final Promise," whose director Randal Batinkoffwas noted as having delivered “an affecting and involving romantic drama” by Variety. "37: A Final Promise" premieres at 9:15PM inside the Rigler Theatre.
Closing the festivities on Sunday night, Arpa will showcase Jack Topalian’s "Newlyweds" before the festivals award ceremony celebrating this years filmmakers and honorees. The Arpa Foundation Award will also be presented to filmmakers and individuals whose films deal with subjugated peoples, ethnic cleansing, forced deportation, massacres and genocides.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to American actor Mike Connors, best known for playing detective Joe Mannix in the CBS television series, "Mannix." Armenian American actress Angela Sarafyan is this years honoree for the Rising Star Award. Angela's film career also includes a starring role in the Relativity/Robert Luketic feature "Paranoia," opposite Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, and Liam Hemsworth and the final film in Twilight franchise, "Breaking Dawn: Part II."
Beyond a list of award-winning films, the festival boasts an RSVP list fit for an event at the world famous Egyptian Theatre. Evening screenings will be followed by light Mediterranean cuisine and cocktail reception.
For more information visit: http://www.ArpaFilmFestival.com
For Tickets, please visit: http://www.itsmyseat.com/affma/
ABOUT ARPA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
For over 17 years, Arpa film festival continues to promote independent filmmakers, cultivating cultural understanding and global empathy in the heart of Hollywood. Through the generous support of our donors and sponsors, our yearly film festival event inspires people of all backgrounds and creates opportunities for creative expression. Arpa’s dedicated production team is committed to make a difference in fueling the global arena of independent cinema.
ABOUT AFFMA
Founded in 1995, the AFFMA (Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art) is a non-profit organization, formed for the purpose of promoting the arts and enhancing the cultural environment of our community by supporting artists who bridge the cultural divide, unifying diverse people and cultures through the arts.
Since its inception, AFFMA has supported a spectrum of artists including writers, photographers, filmmakers, dancers, designers, actors and musicians, by staging networking events, concerts, art exhibits, book signings, fashion shows, talent shows, musical performances, lectures, forums, comedy nights, special screenings, private premiers, and most significantly staging its signature event, the Arpa International Film Festival since 1997.
Through its Festival, the Foundation has awarded industry legends, with Lifetime Achievement , Career Achievement, Humanitarian and Breakthrough Artist Awards. It has also dedicated programs to Stewardship, to GEMAI, Global Event and Media Accessibility initiative,championing inclusion for blind, deaf, and hard of hearing audiences, and also programs dedicated to Women in Film, such as presenting programs of “Artistry and Mystique in Cinema,” with film programs showcasing international women filmmakers.
To date, the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA) has awarded over 150 individuals with grants in support of their creative endeavors.
