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Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 19, 2005
Ani & Narod Memorial Fund
450 N. Brand Blvd., Ste. 600
Glendale, Ca. 91203
Contact: Teni Melidonian
Protocol & Prose 626.644.7247
[email protected]
ANMF and Golden Apricot Film Festival
Awarded the Prix for Best Film
Yerevan, Armenia (July 17) - The Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation
(ANMF) and the Yerevan International Film Festival (Golden Apricot)
announced today the recipient of the "Mark Sarkis Prix for Best Film"
in the Armenian Panorama category which was awarded at the Second
Annual Yerevan International Film Festival in Yerevan, Armenia on
July 17, 2005.
Designed to increase awareness and generate greater interest
in Armenian independent filmmakers, the prize was created by the
Ardhaldjian family as a tribute honoring their beloved son and brother,
Mark Sarkis Ardhaldjian, an aspiring filmmaker who passed away in 1995,
at the tender age of 21. "While Mark's talents were exceptional in
our eyes, we are certain that there are many talented individuals of
Armenian decent around the world waiting to be discovered. We thank
the Golden Apricot Film Festival for providing us the opportunity to
act on Mark's passion," explained Raffy Ardhaldjian, Mark's brother
and chief volunteer officer of ANMF.
Judged by a distinguished jury, the $2000 cash prize was awarded to
the winner of the Armenian Panorama category. Under the Open Sky,
a film by Arman Yeritzyan, portrays the life of two Russian citizens
who coincidently arrive in Yerevan. They eventually marry and lead
a life of homelessness, but none of it matters to them since they
are "Soviet Citizens". This film had also the honor of receiving
a major prize at the Youth International Film Festival "Yes Em",
Yerevan Armenia, May 2005. Mr. Yeritzyan (born in 1975, Yerevan)
has graduated from the Directing Department of Yerevan Pedagogical
Insititute. His other works include: End (2003), I Want to Say (2004).
"We have been able to fulfill our expectations with the help of our
sponsors and support from our government. The festival all of a sudden
took flight and grabbed attention from all over the world. Among
our participants included Atom Egoyan, Robert Guediguian, Arsinee
Khanjian, Abbas Kiarostami, Simon Abkarian, and others. We had twice
as many participants this year than from last year competing in the
festival; about 140 films from 36 countries. Our success would have
been impossible if not for the support we had received from Armenian
and Diasporian organizations such as the Ani & Narod Memorial Fund,
who donated $2000 under the title of Mark-Sarkis Grand Prix," states
Susanna Harutyunyan, Artistic Director of the Festival.
In its second year, the Golden Apricot was held in Yerevan from July
12-17, 2005. Highlighting features and documentaries produced from
2003 to 2005, the festival screened and judged works by a variety of
directors and filmmakers from around the world.
For more information on the Yerevan International Film Festival,
Golden Apricot, visit www.gaiff.am.
For more info on the Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation, please visit
www.ani.org. For all press and media inquiries, contact Teni Melidonian
at 626.644.7247 or via email at [email protected].
The Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit,
tax-exempt US organization encouraging the welfare and development of
Armenian women and children through innovative cultural, educational,
health and social programs.
For Immediate Release
July 19, 2005
Ani & Narod Memorial Fund
450 N. Brand Blvd., Ste. 600
Glendale, Ca. 91203
Contact: Teni Melidonian
Protocol & Prose 626.644.7247
[email protected]
ANMF and Golden Apricot Film Festival
Awarded the Prix for Best Film
Yerevan, Armenia (July 17) - The Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation
(ANMF) and the Yerevan International Film Festival (Golden Apricot)
announced today the recipient of the "Mark Sarkis Prix for Best Film"
in the Armenian Panorama category which was awarded at the Second
Annual Yerevan International Film Festival in Yerevan, Armenia on
July 17, 2005.
Designed to increase awareness and generate greater interest
in Armenian independent filmmakers, the prize was created by the
Ardhaldjian family as a tribute honoring their beloved son and brother,
Mark Sarkis Ardhaldjian, an aspiring filmmaker who passed away in 1995,
at the tender age of 21. "While Mark's talents were exceptional in
our eyes, we are certain that there are many talented individuals of
Armenian decent around the world waiting to be discovered. We thank
the Golden Apricot Film Festival for providing us the opportunity to
act on Mark's passion," explained Raffy Ardhaldjian, Mark's brother
and chief volunteer officer of ANMF.
Judged by a distinguished jury, the $2000 cash prize was awarded to
the winner of the Armenian Panorama category. Under the Open Sky,
a film by Arman Yeritzyan, portrays the life of two Russian citizens
who coincidently arrive in Yerevan. They eventually marry and lead
a life of homelessness, but none of it matters to them since they
are "Soviet Citizens". This film had also the honor of receiving
a major prize at the Youth International Film Festival "Yes Em",
Yerevan Armenia, May 2005. Mr. Yeritzyan (born in 1975, Yerevan)
has graduated from the Directing Department of Yerevan Pedagogical
Insititute. His other works include: End (2003), I Want to Say (2004).
"We have been able to fulfill our expectations with the help of our
sponsors and support from our government. The festival all of a sudden
took flight and grabbed attention from all over the world. Among
our participants included Atom Egoyan, Robert Guediguian, Arsinee
Khanjian, Abbas Kiarostami, Simon Abkarian, and others. We had twice
as many participants this year than from last year competing in the
festival; about 140 films from 36 countries. Our success would have
been impossible if not for the support we had received from Armenian
and Diasporian organizations such as the Ani & Narod Memorial Fund,
who donated $2000 under the title of Mark-Sarkis Grand Prix," states
Susanna Harutyunyan, Artistic Director of the Festival.
In its second year, the Golden Apricot was held in Yerevan from July
12-17, 2005. Highlighting features and documentaries produced from
2003 to 2005, the festival screened and judged works by a variety of
directors and filmmakers from around the world.
For more information on the Yerevan International Film Festival,
Golden Apricot, visit www.gaiff.am.
For more info on the Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation, please visit
www.ani.org. For all press and media inquiries, contact Teni Melidonian
at 626.644.7247 or via email at [email protected].
The Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit,
tax-exempt US organization encouraging the welfare and development of
Armenian women and children through innovative cultural, educational,
health and social programs.