AFFMA – 2008 Arpa International Film Festival
2919 Maxwell St.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Contact: Sylvia Minassian
Phone/Fax (323) 663-1882
Email: [email protected]
ARPA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: OCTOBER 24-26 IN LOS ANGELES
-Festival Organizers Announce Call-for-Films
The 11th Annual Arpa International Film Festival will be held October
24-26 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
Arpa International Film Festival’s mission is to cultivate cultural
understanding and global empathy by creating a dynamic forum for
international cinema. Arpa presents the works of local and
international filmmakers who explore such issues as diaspora, war,
genocide, dual-identity, exile, and multiculturalism – issues that are
extremely relevant to the community of Los Angeles Armenians that
founded the festival and to the global community. Through film
screenings, panel discussions, and networking events, the festival
strives to bridge the cultural divide by fostering dialogue among
people of diverse ethnicities and lifestyles.
The festival is presently seeking entries from filmmakers. Submissions
can be made in the following categories: Feature Film, Short Film,
Documentary, Animation, and Music Video. Entries must be received no
later than July 1, 2008. Rules and entry form are available online
at: and For more information,
please call (323) 663-1882.
The festival concludes with an awards banquet attended by filmmakers
and celebrities. Past festival and awards banquet attendees include
Academy Award-nominated director Atom Egoyan and his wife, actress
Arsinée Khanjian; singer/songwriters Serj Tankian and Alanis
Morissette; `Raging Bull’ screenwriter Mardik Martin; producers Arthur
Sarkissian, Robert Papazian, Don Roos, and Jim Hirsch; actors Ken
Davitian, Tippi Hedren, Vivica A. Fox, Cheech Marin, Dean Cain,
Shohreh Aghdashloo, Tony Shaloub, Frances Fischer, Alison Janney, Adam
Goldberg, Michael Goorjian and Marco Khan.
Festival director Alex Kalognomos says, `After last year’s 10th
anniversary celebration ` with Mardik Martin, Ken Davitian, Shohreh
Aghdashloo, and Carla Garapedian in attendance ` Arpa’s planning
committee wanted our 11th year to be about reinvention and the
perfection of our mission. So this year, we’ve redefined our goals as
an international resource for filmmakers wanting to present their
films in Los Angeles; and, we’ve fostered stronger bonds with Los
Angeles-based filmmakers to help them surge to the next level in their
careers. 2008 is about moving forward with clear goals ` and being
victorious. We have every major genre of film represented in our
competitions, including music videos and animation. We envision a
year that will see major Hollywood veterans working in our festival to
support and mentor our emerging writers, directors, producers, and
actors.’
The film festival is produced annually by the Arpa Foundation for
Film, Music and Art (AFFMA), a non-profit, tax-exempt art organization
founded in 1995 by patron Mrs. Sylvia Minassian. AFFMA promotes the
arts and enhances the cultural environment of Los Angeles by providing
networking opportunities for filmmakers, musicians and artists. For
more information about becoming an AFFMA member, volunteer, or
filmmaker please visit or call 323-663-1882.