ANCA Hollywood House hosts movie night

The Armenian National Committee–Hollywood Chapter hosted its inaugural “Movie Night” on Friday, September 1, in the recently opened Armenian Youth Center in Hollywood.

The event welcomed over 100 guests, among them Johnny Asuncion and Hrach Titizian, the writer/director and actor/producer, respectively, of the evening’s feature film, “Float”, Asbarez reported.

Both Asuncion and Titizian were delighted that the film, a slice of life comedy-drama about the employees of a Glendale ice cream shop, was so well received.

“I was amazed at the turnout for the event, which was very well-organized and professional,” said Asuncion. “I was so pleased with the audience reaction and support from the Armenian community,” he added.

The ANC-Hollywood team was thrilled that Asuncion’s enthusiasm about the evening was reciprocated by the audience, a medley of high school students, college undergraduates and older Hollywood residents and friends.

“It was a great evening of film, food, and new friends – an excellent opportunity to bring the ANC and the local community together in a fun and entertaining way,” said ANC-Hollywood Chairman Paul Seradarian.

After a pizza dinner and ice cream, the guests paid ear to a brief presentation about the Armenian National Committee of America, the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to advancing issues of concern to the Armenian community, by ANCA-Western Region Executive Director William Bairamian.

He stressed to the predominantly young crowd the importance of action over talk, of active involvement over passive dialogue about Armenian American issues.

Following Bairamian, Seradarian discussed his family history, rooted not only in Armenia, but in Norway and France as well, and expressed to the crowd his passion for the ANCA and the difference he believes the organization can make.

The ANC-Hollywood team made sure to inform the crowd about internship opportunities with the ANCA, as well as volunteering opportunities with the ANC-Hollywood.

“There is so much creative energy and potential in Armenian American youth; in fact, it is in their very blood,” said Srbui Karapetian, a board member with the ANC-Hollywood. “We’d like to harness this energy in some way and use it to a positive, constructive end here in Hollywood,” she added.

The evening closed with an intimate question and answer session with Titizian and Asuncion about how the film “Float” was made, why an Armenian-American storyline element was included, and whether the pair intends to make another movie anytime soon.
“Yes, we do,” said Asuncion.

As for the ANC-Hollywood, “the movie night was so successful, we hope to make it a regular event,” said Seradarian.
The ANC-Hollywood Chapter promotes greater understanding of issues of concern to the area’s Armenian American community and strives to increase Armenian American civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.