Golden Apricot 13th Yerevan International Film Festival announced

A press conference dedicated to the opening of one of the most remarkable cultural events of the country held in the capital Yerevan every year - the Golden Apricot International Film Festival, was organized in the Ministry of Culture.

This year the festival is scheduled to be held from July 10-17. The noble mission of the Golden Apricot – to highlight Yerevan as an international cultural and cinematographic center, is carried out successfully for the 13^th year in a row.

The press conference started with the presentation of the official poster of the Festival, which was created by The sign design studio.

The press conference was presided by the Minister of Culture of Armenia Hasmik Poghosyan, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, Golden Apricot’s Founder-Director Harutyun Khachatryan, Golden Apricot IFF Program Director Mikayel Stamboltsyan and Golden Apricot IFF IFF Artistic Director Susanna Harutyunyan. The speakers presented the general concept of the 13th edition and highlighted the cultural importance of the festival.

The General Partner of the festival is Armenia’s Leading Telecommunications Operator VivaCell-MTS.  The 10-year anniversary of cooperation between GOLDEN APRICOT Yerevan IFF and VivaCell-MTS will be celebrated this year.

“Cinematography defines today’s myths. Films ensure the transition of the epos in the modern way. Nations that have no cinematography of their own, forget the epos of their own, and are influenced by the epos of other nations. Hence, responsibility lies upon us to support the development of Armenian cinematography especially during this important time period when our Nation is confronted with so many huge internal and external challenges, when we are both the participant, witness and writer of our history. Needless to say that in the present-day world, having national cinematography is a must – as one of the most powerful tools of mass communication and anti-propaganda – used both for protecting national identity and promoting national interest,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

The non-competition programs this year promise to be rich and diverse. Most important and inseparable Yerevan Premieres, Retrospectives and Tributes this year will also include old and new masterpieces of the world cinema masters.

Armenian Cinema:Our Days

The festival has recieved more than 900 submissions from 91 countries. Around 135 films are included into the competition and non-competition different programs. One of the important initiatives of the 13th edition will be the film program, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. The best feature and documentary films, made during those 25 years, will be presented to spectators, in the special program, entitledArmenian Cinema:Our Days. To coordinate the program film critics were invited, who not only will introduce the story behind every film, but will also hold a round table to rebound the history of the independent cinema, the issues and the ways of its development. The program will open the film A Story of People in War and Peace (2007) by Vardan Hovhannisyan

Shakespeare Lives in Film

GOLDEN APRICOT IFF in cooperation with British Council in Armenia will present a special film program, dedicated to the 400^th anniversary of renowned British writer William Shakespeare’s death. The best films, based on Shakespeare’s works, will be screened in the frames of the program.

French New Cinema

The program is realized together with the Embassy of France to Armenia. It includes the best three films of French production.  The program will open with Two Remis, Two, (2015) by Pierre Léon.

Danish New Cinema

The program is implemented in cooperation with the Danish Film Institute. By the way, this is going to be the second collaboration between GOLDEN APRICOT IFF and Danish Film Institute. The program will present the best Danish films of the last five years. The Commune (2015) by Thomas Winterberg will open the program.

Basque New Cinema

The best films by Basque directors will be presented in a separate film program. The program is carried out with Epe-Apv and includes 4 films. The film Autumn without Berlin (2015)by Lara Izagirre is to open the film program.

Tributes

In the frames of GOLDEN APRICOT 13^th Yerevan International Film Festival there will be tributes to the masters of Armenian Cinema: Dmitri Kesayants, Edmond Keosayan, Ruben Gevorgyants and Roman Balayan.

On the occasion of Dmitri Kesayants’, Edmond Keosayan’s and Albert Yavuryan’s anniversaries stars will be placed in the Charles Aznavour square.

The film Autumn of the magician (2008)will be screened in honor of Ruben Gevorgyants 70^th anniversary.