YEREVAN. – As part of the American Film Showcase, the U.S. Embassy planned the Emerging Documentary Talent project in partnership with Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.

The project challenged aspiring young Armenian filmmakers, ages 17-26, to pick a social, economic, or political issue in Armenia and highlight it in their short documentaries. The project included a series of workshops with international and local experts during  January-March. The documentary film competition invited submissions from young Armenian filmmakers and resulted in 28 films submitted for the competition phase.

On June 20 at the Moscow Cinema, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern will announce the winners of the Emerging Talent Documentary Competition in the categories of Best Film, Best Story, and Best Cinematography.

The three winning films will be screened during the ceremony and the winners will receive high definition cameras.

Since its opening in 2011, the center has provided thousands of students aged 12-18 an open environment where they can utilize the latest in digital communications, learn from media professionals, and explore the intersection of art and technology. For more information, visit www.tumo.org.