MarkopoloFilms
450 North Brand Blvd. Ste 600
Glendale, CA 91203
PRESS RELEASE
March 4, 2005
Contact: Teni Melidonian
Protocol & Prose Int’l
[email protected]
ARMENIAN-AMERICAN FILMMAKER’S PROJECT TO SCREEN AT ANKARA FILM FESTIVAL
Los Angeles, CA (March 4, 2005) – MarkopoloFilms announced today that
Raffy Ardhaldjian’s short film, “Wedding Gift,” will be featured at
the 2005 International Ankara Film Festival with screenings scheduled
for March 4, March 6 and March 12 in Ankara, Turkey.
Starring Oscar Torres, Kelly Galindo, Shaunt Benjamin, Chidem Alie,
Emilio Roso and Jordann Kimley, “Wedding Gift” depicts a suicidal
divorcee’s journey over the course of an evening. While holding a gun
to his head, Joe receives a call from a friend – his ex is at a
bar. Taking the lead, Joe becomes entanglement in a bizarre life and
death situation with a hooker, her thugs and a mobster. The events of
the night provide Joe with the unusual chance of redeeming himself of
sins that destroyed his marriage – greed, violence and sex.
“Wedding Gift” has screened at numerous international film festivals
including the Palmeres Film Festival in Paris, Arpa International Film
Festival in Hollywood and the New York International Film and Video
Festival.
Shot on Mini DV in 2004, the short was written and directed by
Ardhaldjian and presented as his thesis project at USC. He currently
has two feature projects in development with MarkopoloFilms. Zoran
Popovic, cinematographer and editor, has been the director of
photography on numerous music videos, commercials and feature
films. He has worked with such directors as Gary Oldman (“Joe Black”)
Illeana Douglas (“Supermarket”) and Michael Stevens (“Sin”).
MarkopoloFilms is an independent film production company based in
Hollywood, California. Upcoming projects include “Three Angelinos” –
featuring the tales of three fathers – and the “Thirst” – the horrific
adventure of four college friends in the desert.
For information on the International Ankara Film Festival visit
For information about Markopolofilms visit
For all press and media inquiries, contact Teni Melidonian via email
at [email protected].
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