Author: Maral Takmazian

For Immediate Release
 
 

 
 
USC INSTITUTE OF ARMENIAN STUDIES
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, USA
Contact: Syuzanna Petrosyan, Associate Director
[email protected] | 213.821.3943
 
 
DTLA Film Festival Features Its First Armenian Film, Supported by the USC 
Institute of Armenian Studies

The 11th annual DTLA Film Festival, which is set to run from October 23 to 27 
at Regal L.A. LIVE, will be featuring its first Armenian film, with the support 
of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies.

This year’s festival includes foreign films from around the globe, all making 
their Los Angeles premieres, including the narrative feature “Yeva” by Armenian 
Iranian director Anahid Abad. “Yeva” is the first film of Armenian content and 
language to ever be included in the festival, and it's the first film being 
presented that’s set in Armenia and has an Armenian director.

“It’s so important to be able to understand that real life exists in conflict 
zones, and this film does just that,” said Salpi Ghazarian, director of the USC 
Institute of Armenian Studies. “That’s why we’re so pleased that the Armenian 
participation in the DTLA Film Festival is about people and lives -- especially 
women’s lives. Needless to say the message is universal.”

The film will screen at the festival on October 26 at 6:15pm at Regal L.A LIVE. 
The screening will be followed by an audience Q&A with director Anahit Abad. 
Tickets can be purchased at 
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.dtlaff.com_&d=DwIGaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=pVbpnF2zovNV7TGWzcb2Nx3zUitePv9NZCrAeiJykzY&s=BaISReNHeuq2AeliZFGIw1EC3EbUDiVjyva-CpZhixw&e=
 . Yeva will also be screening at the Laemmle theatre in Glendale on November 
1. 

The film is an intimate drama, in which a woman suspected of murder flees from 
Yerevan to an Armenian village in Nagorno-Karaakh with her young daughter. The 
heroine, Yeva, returns to a place she briefly worked as a doctor during the 
Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan, hoping she won't be 
recognized. As she integrates into the rhythm of village life, Yeva's memories 
of the war come flooding back, as she tries to conceal her identity. 

"While the film is set in Armenia, the story has a universal message about the 
sacrifices and strengths of motherhood and family, which resonated with us,” 
said Karolyne Sosa, Director of Programming, DTLA Film Festival. ‘Yeva' has 
already screened and won several awards at major international film festivals 
this year. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to present the U.S. West 
Coast premiere of the film.” 

“Yeva” was selected as Armenia’s official submission to the 90th Academy Awards 
in the Best Foreign Language Film category for 2017. The film is co-produced by 
Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation and the National Cinema Center of Armenia.

The 94-minute film is set in Armenia and has an all-Armenian cast, including 
Narina Grigorian, Shant Hovhanisian, Sergay Tovmasian, Vrejh Kasoni, Marjan 
Avadisyan, Roz Avadisova, Digran Davtian, Nanor Patrosian, Avalian Adamian and 
Marat Davtian. The film was banned in Turkey due to interference from 
Azerbaijan’s government.

A total of 36 feature-length movies – 17 narrative and 19 documentary — are 
slated to screen at the DTLA Film Festival, with the majority making their 
World Premiere, West Coast Premiere or Los Angeles premieres.

The DTLA Film Festival was established in 2008 with a mission of reflecting the 
vibrant and eclectic urbanism that defines downtown L.A. Through the exhibition 
of a wide array of independent films by and about groups traditionally 
underrepresented in the commercial Hollywood film industry – notably women, 
people of color, and the LGBTQ communities – DTLA Film Festival has established 
itself as a platform that has continually pushed the creative envelope. 

About the Institute
 
Established in 2005, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies supports 
multidisciplinary scholarship to re-define, explore and study the complex 
issues that make up the contemporary Armenian experience—from post-genocide to 
the developing Republic of Armenia to the evolving diaspora. The institute 
encourages research, publications and public service, and promotes links among 
the global academic and Armenian communities.
 
For inquiries, write to [email protected] or call 213.821.3943