YEREVAN. - One of the most remarkable events of the year, the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival (IFF), will breathe a new life into the cultural life of capital city Yerevan from July 9 to 16.
The representatives of Golden Apricot Yerevan IFF, the Ministry of Culture of Armenia and general partner of the festival, VivaCell-MTS, on Monday announced the launch of the 14th edition of the festival.
The press conference started with the presentation of the official poster—an apricot-shaped geometric figure symbolizing the 14th edition of the festival.
The speakers of the press conference, Minister of Culture of Armenia Armen Amiryan, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, Golden Apricot IFF Founding Director Harutyun Khachatryan, Programs Director Mikayel Stamboltsyan, and Artistic Director Susanna Harutyunyan underscored the importance of the year-long cooperation, presenting some of the programs to be implemented within the framework of the 14th edition. In particular, they announced the names of international jury members of four main competition programs, as well as the titles of the opening and closing films.
The film Khasphush (1927), from director Hamo Beknazaryan will be screened during the opening. The screening will be accompanied by Vahagn Hayrapetyan and his band’s live music composed specially for this film.
The film, which marks its 90th anniversary, follows the Persian revolutionary movement of the peasants, being the first Armenian historical-revolutionary film.
Intent to Destroy (2017) from director Joe Berlinger was chosen as the closing film. The Armenian Genocide documentary premiered at Tribeca Film Fest. The director meets with historians and scholars to discuss the Armenian Genocide and the continuing denial by the Turkish government.
This year the festival received about 1100 film submissions from 96 countries.
More than hundred films were included in the competition and non-competition programs.
“There are events, which leave an invaluable mark on the public life: they shape minds, create opportunities to bolster the country’s reputation, and to educate generation. I won’t be mistaken if I say the ‘Golden Apricot’ Film Festival is one of those events in Armenia. It shapes a system of values, uses the language of the art to raise problems, and to sow seeds of beauty and vigor. It has been the visit card of Armenia for 14 years in a row. I am proud of our cooperation and of the festival’s achievements for all these years,” said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.
