ICA is closed from the 30 May – 3 June inclusive.
6 - 8 December 2024
The Armenian Film Festival London is the first London-based annual festival celebrating Armenian culture and creative potential. It aims to showcase the best emerging and classic filmmaking from the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora. This festival follows the Armenian Film Society’s second annual film festival, which was held in September in Los Angeles.
The programme follows two main thematic strands: war in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the centenary of the joint national cinema and Sergei Parajanov while promoting new talent, with special emphasis on the British Armenian creative community.
“It is an honour to witness the launch of the inaugural Armenian Film Festival London, a celebration of Armenian culture, creativity, and storytelling. This festival will not only showcase the rich cinematic heritage of Armenia but also strengthen the cultural bridge between Armenia and the United Kingdom. Through the universal language of film, we are sharing our nation's history, traditions, and contemporary voices with the world,” — said Varuzhan Nersesyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the UK.
“Creating a spot for Armenian culture in the UK has long been in gestation. For this inaugural edition, we will be hailing three milestones of Armenian culture — the centenary of national cinema and of Sergei Parajanov birth, but also a new wave of creative powers celebrating joy, stoicism and hope — in short, Armenian spirit,” said Kira Adibekov and Tatevik Ayvazyan, co-founders of the Festival.
“We are excited to expand our footprint and host the Armenian Film Festival in London. The goal of Armenian Film Society has always been to make Armenian cinema accessible to all audiences,” said Armen and Mary Karaoghlanian, founders of the Armenian Film Society.
The three-day event will showcase a carefully curated selection of contemporary Armenian films, offering London audiences an opportunity to experience the rich cultural tapestry and artistic talent of Armenian filmmakers. The festival will feature film screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and other special events.
The Armenian Film Festival London is held under the auspices of the Armenian Embassy in the UK, in collaboration with the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), and the Armenian Film Society’s newly established UK branch. The festival is spearheaded by curator Kira Adibekov and filmmaker Tatevik Ayvazyan, with the support of the Armenian Film Society.
The Armenian Film Festival London is the first London-based annual festival celebrating Armenian culture and creative potential. It aims to showcase the best emerging and classic filmmaking from the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora. This festival follows the Armenian Film Society’s second annual film festival, which was held in September in Los Angeles.
The programme follows two main thematic strands: war in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the centenary of the joint national cinema and Sergei Parajanov while promoting new talent, with special emphasis on the British Armenian creative community.
“It is an honour to witness the launch of the inaugural Armenian Film Festival London, a celebration of Armenian culture, creativity, and storytelling. This festival will not only showcase the rich cinematic heritage of Armenia but also strengthen the cultural bridge between Armenia and the United Kingdom. Through the universal language of film, we are sharing our nation's history, traditions, and contemporary voices with the world,” — said Varuzhan Nersesyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the UK.
“Creating a spot for Armenian culture in the UK has long been in gestation. For this inaugural edition, we will be hailing three milestones of Armenian culture — the centenary of national cinema and of Sergei Parajanov birth, but also a new wave of creative powers celebrating joy, stoicism and hope — in short, Armenian spirit,” said Kira Adibekov and Tatevik Ayvazyan, co-founders of the Festival.
“We are excited to expand our footprint and host the Armenian Film Festival in London. The goal of Armenian Film Society has always been to make Armenian cinema accessible to all audiences,” said Armen and Mary Karaoghlanian, founders of the Armenian Film Society.
The three-day event will showcase a carefully curated selection of contemporary Armenian films, offering London audiences an opportunity to experience the rich cultural tapestry and artistic talent of Armenian filmmakers. The festival will feature film screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and other special events.
The Armenian Film Festival London is held under the auspices of the Armenian Embassy in the UK, in collaboration with the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), and the Armenian Film Society’s newly established UK branch. The festival is spearheaded by curator Kira Adibekov and filmmaker Tatevik Ayvazyan, with the support of the Armenian Film Society.
Programme
Friday 6 December, 6.15pm
Amerikatsi + Q&A with Michael Goorjian
The first Armenian production short-listed for Academy Awards tells the story of an American Armenian who returns to his homeland in 1948, decades after fleeing Armenia to the US as a child.
Saturday 7 December, 2.00pm
1489 + online Q&A
The first time director’s younger brother Soghomon, 21, a musician, was close to completing his mandatory military service when the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) War broke out on September 27, 2020. Soghomon disappeared in the war zone without a trace on the 7th day. Coping with despair, Vardanyan started documenting her family's daily ordeal with her phone.
Saturday 7 December, 4.30pm
My Sweet Land + online Q&A
A coming-of-age story set against a multigenerational war in the post-Soviet Caucasus Mountains.
Sunday 8 December 2.15pm
British Armenian Focus + Q&A
A special short film strand highlights moving image works produced or directed by British Armenian filmmakers, regardless of thematic choices, plot twists, genres, or techniques. The screening is followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, hosted by Nelly ben Hayoun-Stépanian.
Friday 6 December, 6.15pm
Amerikatsi + Q&A with Michael Goorjian
The first Armenian production short-listed for Academy Awards tells the story of an American Armenian who returns to his homeland in 1948, decades after fleeing Armenia to the US as a child.
Saturday 7 December, 2.00pm
1489 + online Q&A
The first time director’s younger brother Soghomon, 21, a musician, was close to completing his mandatory military service when the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) War broke out on September 27, 2020. Soghomon disappeared in the war zone without a trace on the 7th day. Coping with despair, Vardanyan started documenting her family's daily ordeal with her phone.
Saturday 7 December, 4.30pm
My Sweet Land + online Q&A
A coming-of-age story set against a multigenerational war in the post-Soviet Caucasus Mountains.
Sunday 8 December 2.15pm
British Armenian Focus + Q&A
A special short film strand highlights moving image works produced or directed by British Armenian filmmakers, regardless of thematic choices, plot twists, genres, or techniques. The screening is followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, hosted by Nelly ben Hayoun-Stépanian.
no. 236848.