GOLDEN APRICOT – 2008 INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES WINNERS
NOYAN TAPAN
JU LY 25
The finish of the Golden Apricot (Voske Tsiran) 5th International film
festival was announced on July 19 at the Moscow cinema of Yerevan with
the showing of renowned director Atom Egoyan’s film Adoration. RA
President Serzh Sargsyan, Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosian,
other high-ranking officials, renowned cinematographic figures were
present at film’s Yerevan premiere.
According to Canadian Armenian director Atom Egoyan, Golden Apricot
is of much importance for the Armenian nation. "It shows not
only the cinematographic art of the strong nation, but also brings
cinematographic art of other nations to Armenia." After the end of the
film the names of Golden Apricot’s this year’s winners were announced
at the Latar hotel complex.
The Golden Apricot for the Best Feature Film was given to Moscow-based
Armenian director Anna Melikian for her film The Mermaid. Silver
prize in the Feature Films Competition was given to two directors
simultaneously: Aditya Assarat, Thailand, for the film Wonderful Town
and Eran Riklis, Israel, for his film Lemon Tree. The Jury Special
Diploma in the same nomination was given to Iranian director Abolfazl
Saffari for his film End of the Earth.
In the Documentary Film Competition the Golden Apricot was given to
Meira Asher, Israel, for the film Women See Lot of Things. And the
Silver Prize was given to Indian Nishta Jain for the film Lakshmi
and Me.
In the Armenian Panorama Competition the Golden Apricot was given
to American Armenian young director Eric Nazarian for his film The
Blue Hour.
And the Silver Prize was given to director Diana Mkrtchian, Russia,
for her film Gata. The Jury Diploma was given to Mariam Ohanian,
Yerevan, for her film Jrarat. Miniatures.
FIPRESCI Award was given to director Huseyin Karabey, Turkey, for his
film My Marlon and Brando. The director was also awarded Ecumenical
Jury Diploma.
And Ecumenical Jury Award was given to Eric Nazarian for his film
The Blue Hour.