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Armenian Film Society

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Armenian Film Society
AbbreviationAFS
Formation2015; 9 years ago (2015)
TypeFilm society
PurposeEntertainment, film movement, film screening
Location
Region served
United Kingdom
United States
LeaderArmen and Mary Karaoghlanian
Websitearmenianfilmsociety.com

The Armenian Film Society (AFS) is an American film society dedicated to Armenian cinema.

History

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Early years (2015-2022)

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The organization launched in 2015 with a screening of Atom Egoyan's Next of Kin.[1]

Early film screenings included Sergei Parajanov's Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors[2] and The Legend of Suram Fortress[3]

In September 2019, the Armenian Film Society first announced the news that Armenian-American screenwriter Mardik Martin had passed away.[4] In February 2020, the organization criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the failure to include Martin in the In Memoriam segment during the 92nd Academy Awards.[5]

Centennial of Armenian cinema (2023-present)

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In 2023, the centennial of the Armenian film industry, Armenian Film Society launched its Armenian Film Festival.[6]

In celebration of Sergei Parajanov's centennial, the organization partnered with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to screen The Color of Pomegranates, as well as the world premiere of the restoration of Mikhail Vartanov's Parajanov: The Last Spring.[7] In an interview with Deadline Hollywood, Martiros Vartanov, the director's son, stated, "I'm very grateful to The Academy and UCLA for presenting this."[8]

In April 2024, Armenian Film Society held a screening of Inna Sahakyan's Aurora's Sunrise as part of University of Southern California's Armenian History Month programming.[9] Later that month, as part of the City of Glendale's 2024 Armenian Genocide Week of Remembrance, the organization held a screening of Arman Nshanian's Songs of Solomon.[10]

The Armenian Film Society participated in the 2024 HollyShorts Film Festival, held at the Chinese Theatre, by presenting four short films.[11]

In June 2024, the organization collaborated with American Cinematheque to host a screening of Menace II Society at the Egyptian Theatre, including a discussion with director Allen Hughes.[12]

In July 2024, Armenian Film Society supported the "100 Years of Parajanov" programming at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City.[13]

The organization partnered with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, sponsoring their Igor Stravinsky and Aram Khachaturian program in July 2024.[14]

International expansion

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In October 2024, the Armenian Film Society announced their expansion into the United Kingdom with the creation of a branch in London. The branch will be spearheaded by curator Kira Adibekov and filmmaker Tatevik Ayvazyan.[15]

Major events

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The Armenian Film Society's "flagship events" are the annual Armenian Film Festival and Armenian Women in Film and Entertainment panel discussions.[16]

Armenian Film Festival

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In 2023, the centennial of the Armenian film industry,[17] the organization launched its Armenian Film Festival, with events held at Alex Theatre, Laemmle Glendale and Hero House. The festival included a premiere of Michael A. Goorjian's Amerikatsi.[18] At the festival, co-founder Armen Karaoghlanian stated, "Hopefully [audiences] can walk away with a better understanding of who Armenians are because they might hear about the struggles we are going through, [but] I can’t think of a better way to really understand the [Armenian] people than through film."[19]

The 2024 festival, held at LOOK Cinemas, featured the American premiere of Atom Egoyan's Seven Veils.[20] In an interview at the event, co-founder Armen Karaoghlanian reflected on the growth of Armenian cinema, noting that "It wasn't too long ago when, you know, you'd say 'Armenian film' or 'Armenian cinema', and you might think of a certain type of film. You know, maybe, you'd think of Soviet Armenian films, maybe you'd think of some of the stuff you'd find on T.V., but I think in recent years, and especially this year, that bar is getting much higher, year over year, and I want people to walk away not saying 'I saw a good Armenian film' or a great Armenian film, I want to say 'I saw a great film,' period."[21]

Armenian Women in Film and Entertainment

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In 2023, the organization held its first Armenian Women in Film and Entertainment panel discussion, featuring film and television editor Yvette M. Amirian, media personality Sona Movsesian, producer Fuliane Petikyan, actress Angela Sarafyan, and producer Natalie Qasabian.[22]

The 2024 event was moderated by Sona Movsesian, featuring concept artist Joanna Bush, business manager Anna DerParseghian, actress Alexandra Hedison, and film publicist Teni Karapetian.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "George Pal's sci-fi/fantasy films among movie screenings this week in the Los Angeles area". Los Angeles Daily News. September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "Screening of Parajanov's "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors"". May 16, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "Armenian Film Society to Screen Parajanov's "The Legend of Suram Fortress"". MassisPost. February 20, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Lawrence Yee (September 11, 2019). "Mardik Martin, 'Mean Streets' and 'Raging Bull' Co-Writer, Dies at 84". TheWrap. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  5. ^ Siranush Ghazanchyan (February 12, 2020). "Oscars slammed for leaving Armenian screenwriter Mardik Martin out of "In Memoriam" list". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "Armenian Film Society Announces Program for Inaugural Armenian Film Festival". Armenian Mirror-Spectator. August 31, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  7. ^ Siranush Ghazanchyan (April 9, 2024). "Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to screen "The Color of Pomegranates" on Parajanov's 100th birthday". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Sunil Sadarangani (April 18, 2024). "Academy Museum Celebrates Sergei Parajanov's Centenary With Screening Of Armenian Director's 'The Color Of Pomegranates' Plus Restored Documentary About Him". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  9. ^ "USC's First-Ever Armenian History Month Celebrates Diversity of Armenian Experiences". MassisPost. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "Songs of Solomon". Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "Armenian Film Society and HollyShorts Partner to Screen Armenian Short Films". Asbarez. May 20, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "Menace II Society". Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "100 Years of Parajanov". Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  14. ^ "Stravinsky & Khachaturian". Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  15. ^ "Armenian Film Society Announces London Expansion". October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  16. ^ Karine Armen (September 18, 2024). "Armenian Film Society Provides Platform for Filmmakers". Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Benjamin Pola (September 28, 2023). "SCA Alum Launches Inaugural Armenian Film Festival". Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  18. ^ "Armenian Film Society announces program for inaugural Armenian Film Festival". Armenian Weekly. August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  19. ^ Tina Ter-Akopyan (September 12, 2023). "Festival celebrates Armenian filmmaking". Daily Trojan. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  20. ^ "Armenian Film Festival". Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  21. ^ "Exclusive Interviews with Nona Melkonian at the 2nd Annual AFS Armenian Film Festival - Part 1". Melkoni Media. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  22. ^ ""In honor of International Women's Day..."". February 21, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  23. ^ "Armenian Film Society announces Armenian Women in Film and Entertainment panel". Armenian Weekly. February 20, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
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