2020 CALLS FOR A UNIQUE YEAR FOR THE 23rd ARPA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

This year marks the 23rd anniversary of Arpa International Film Festival, the signature event of the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA), which will take place between November 12 – 22, 2020. We have an amazing and inspiring selection of 69 films from 20 countries from all over the world.

In consideration of the continuing challenges and uncertainty stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, and per the extended federal and state guidelines, The Arpa IFF, which in the past has originally taken place at historic theaters around Hollywood, will take place online this year.

In the midst of our festival planning, having to relocate online created new and unexpected challenges for our team. This year, with the help of Seed&Spark, we worked very hard to make the transitional process easily accessible for our film audiences. While it was our hope to screen the films theatrically, streaming the films online will reach a greater viewership. From the comfort of your own home, people from all around the world can take part in our 23rd Annual Festival.

However, another international threat has affected communities across the globe and our Festival i.e., the war between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. The suffering of soldiers fighting for truth, honor and justice in Artsakh leaves a deep mark, not just on our Festival, but on humanity at large. Arpa International Film Festival has decided to donate all of its proceeds from the ticket sales to aid Artsakh.

For the last 23 years, we have come together to celebrate the art of film. During the selection process, our diligent team of festival programmers set aside time to meticulously select the finalists for this year’s official selection from a large pool of films received this year. Opportunity always reveals itself to our filmmakers who have made it their mission in creating stories that move audiences and create undeniable emotion. This year’s Arpa IFF will once again highlight a diverse range of world cinema that explores many contemporary issues.

With an all access pass, you and your family will be able to watch all 69 films, comprised of full length features, documentaries, short narrative films, short animated films and music videos, along with the Q&A’s, panel discussions and closing night awards ceremony.

As always, we have several films made by Armenian filmmakers. Just to mention a few, we have two nominated music videos, MANOUG ME by Hamo Arzounmanian and ONLY LOVE by Eric Baziian.

Short Narrative Film, THIS LAND by Michael Aloyan and a short romantic comedy GIFTED, by Karina Weeks.

Nominated Feature documentary, AN ARMENIAN TRIOGY, tells the story the Composer Dan Yessian, who reconnects with his roots, writing a symphony in tribute to the 1.5 million souls lost in the Armenian Genocide. In the documentary, viewers have the opportunity to follow Yessian’s journey to the ancestral homeland of Armenia. Yessian explores his own past and rediscovers Armenia’s rich history, culture, and features the world-renowned Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. The documentary asks the question: “How do you go home to a place you’ve never been to?”

Bared Moronian’s new documentary, BLOODLESS: THE PATH TO DEMOCRACY is a riveting political thriller that captures the story of a revolution, as events unfold in the spring of 2018 in Armenia. In the course of history, only a few revolutions have been successful, let alone those without Bloodshed. Nikol Pashinyan, a charismatic former journalist and political prisoner, galvanized support among the youth and women by using non-violent civil disobedience protests and social media. In a short period of 6 weeks, a corrupt oligarchy was toppled and democracy restored. Bloodless recently won the “Audience Choice Award” from the Lunenburg Doc Fest of Canada and the 2020 Regional Emmy Nominee by NATAS Suncoast Chapter.

WHAT WILL BECOME OF US, is a nominated Feature-length Documentary, by Stephanie Ayanian and Joseph Myers, which follows six Armenian Americans as they navigate the 100th anniversary of the Genocide, forging identities for the next 100 years. Today, often unrecognized, it remains defining – but the long shadow of the Genocide creates a burden for young Armenian Americans that discourage them from taking up their culture.

QUO VADIS 2020 is a Feature Doc by Gabriele Fabbro,

About a post millennial journey to Italy before the Coronavirus outbreak.

We are happy to announce that this year we launched a platform for university students to submit their films to our film festival. Through our collaboration with the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Film Festival “ZotFest” where student filmmakers submitted their films, with the opportunity to showcase their creations beyond a university’s vicinity. The intention behind our collaboration is to give a platform for upcoming student filmmakers, and we chose six films to screen at this year’s festival.

For more information, please visit our website ArpaFilmFestival.com, subscribe to our Newsletter to stay in touch with the latest developments, and write to us via email at arpafilmfestival@gmail.com.

The Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Arts (AFFMA) is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization. Your festival pass or ticket purchase is considered a tax-deductible donation as permitted by law.

We will keep our filmmakers and supporters updated via our website newsletter, FilmFreeway, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

You Can Also Make Your Donation by Check via Mail

TO DONATE BY MAIL, PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO:
AFFMA – Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art
AND SEND YOUR GIFT TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
2919 Maxwell St, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art (AFFMA) is a charitable, non-profit, tax-deductible organization registered as a 501(c)(3), thereby making all sponsorships 100% tax deductible.

Thank you and keep safe!

~ AFFMA Board ~

Arpa International Film Festival Sponsors

Sponsors are crucial to the stability of the Arpa International Film Festival. Through their support we continue to embrace gifted filmmakers who are trying to make a difference. We welcome you to join the list of our 2020 Sponsors & Media Partners today – it’s easy to become a film festival sponsor.

We’d like to thank all of our 2020 Sponsors and Patrons for helping to make this the best Arpa International Film Festival ever! Without your generosity, an event like this wouldn’t even be possible, thank you!