Arpa Film Fest Issues ‘Call-for-Films’

In 2012, the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA) celebrated the 15^th year of its signature event, the Arpa International Film Festival. The celebration included recognitions by the Los Angeles City Council and the Roll Global Grant, as well as a Golden Medal from the Armenian Ministry of Culture awarded to AFFMA founder Sylvia Minassian. The Arpa Film Festival enjoyed its most successful and highly attended festival that year, and commemorated its anniversary with a star-studded awards gala. AFFMA organizers are now preparing for the festival’s 16th year with a full slate of events planned for the summer and fall season.

Call for Films

Call for Film submissions are currently open for the upcoming 16th Arpa International Film Festival, to be held Sept. 26-29, 2013, at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. “We encourage all filmmakers to take advantage of Arpa Film Fest as a launch pad to a career in filmed entertainment and production arts,” said the festival director, Alex Kalognomos. “We have hosted many notable premiers of films that have gone on to commercial success, distribution, and VOD. Currently, “Lost & Found in Armenia,” which had its U.S. premier at Arpa last year, is enjoying consecutive sold-out screenings nationwide. Other success stories include “My Uncle Rafael” and the internationally acclaimed film “Venezzia,” which had its world premier at Arpa. This year’s festival will focus on the feature film genre and industry programs aimed to help filmmakers develop their projects.

‘Khachaturian’ Jubilee

To commemorate the 110th birthday anniversary of renowned composer Aram Khachaturian, and the 10th anniversary of the seminal 2003 documentary about the composer, “Khachaturian,” Arpa Film Fest joins forces with the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia, the Kuhn Foundation and, for the first time, the American Cinematheque to present a special screening of the film on Sun., July 14 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The event will feature a discussion and Q&A with the filmmakers, and a catered reception, all under the stars in the courtyard of the legendary Egyptian Theater, under the same roof where Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks premiered their films in 1922.

A general admission ticket is $11; Cinematheque members’ ticket price, $7; seniors 65+ and students with valid ID, $9. Tickets can be purchased by visiting http://americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/khachaturian-0.

AFFMA Networking Mixer

AFFMA will host its summer networking mixer at Hollywood’s Redbury Hotel. The event will serve as a membership drive and filmmakers are invited to take part and network with other professionals in entertainment. The mixer date will be announced shortly.

AFFMA Comedy Night

AFFMA comes out in full force for its annual Ara Basil’s Ballistic Show, held this year on Aug. 25 in Los Angeles at the Comedy Store, Main Room.

About AFFMA

The Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art is a non-profit organization to enhance Los Angeles’s creative environment and support those artists who bridge the cultural divide. Each year, AFFMA stages networking events, concerts, art exhibits, fashion shows, book signings, and various benefits to promote emerging talents. Most significantly, AFFMA produces the Arpa International Film Festival to unify diverse people and cultures through the unique power of cinema. Since 1997, it has honored over 100 artists, filmmakers, and writers with grants and awards. For more information, visit www.affma.org.

About the Kuhn Foundation

The Kuhn Foundation disseminates understanding in science and philosophy, supports cultural endeavors, and promotes good relations between America and China. It produces the “Closer to Truth” TV series. It also produced the documentary “Khachaturian,” which won the Best Documentary award at the 2003 Hollywood Film Festival, and (with China Central Television) In “Search of China” for PBS.