Kinoashun -2011 to kick off in Armenia

The Kinoashun-2011 (Cinema Autumn-2011) national cinema month is to kick off with the screening of the "Dawn over the Van" film in Goris, Armenia, on Sept. 24.

"It is no coincidence that we have decided to start in Armenia's most remote region. Our main goal is to restore the regional cinema network. This is the reason why most films will be screened in Armenia's regions," Gevorg Gevorgyan, Director of the National Cinema Center of Armenia, told journalists.

At first, the regional governors considered the demonstration impossible as the local cinemas have not been operated for years. However, after getting acquainted with the project, they took interest in it.

Three films shot over the past 20 years, since Armenia gained independence, will be screened in each region. For a month, over 100 feature and documentary films, as well as cartoons, will be screened at military units, educational institutions, in borderline regions and all of Yerevan's communities, cinemas and public parks.

"We want to turn our city into a large cinema for all those wishing to see the films they want to and make sure that Armenian cinema is alive," Gevorgyan said.

Three presentations, as well as celebrations of Dmitry Kesayants' 80th birthday anniversary and Hovik Akhverdyan's 75th birthday anniversary, are to take place.

The closing ceremony of Kinoashun-2011 is to take place at the Moscow cinema in Yerevan, Oct. 28.