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ARPA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 14TH YEAR
http://www.reporter.am/index.cfm?objectid=974FC210-00DB-11E1-B4DC0003FF3452C2
Published: Thursday October 27, 2011
Giulia and Fiammena Wegner, granddaughters of Armin T. Wegner, and
Filmmaker Bryan Single.
Hollywood, Calif. - The 14th annual Arpa International Film Festival,
presented by AT&T YP.com, captivated the hearts and minds of audiences
over three days at the glamorous Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.
Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art's (AFFMA) signature event kicked
off with the Opening Night Los Angeles premiere of Braden King's
"HERE" on September 22nd. The film, starring Ben Foster and Lubna
Azabal, was shot entirely in Armenia.
The Festival's Centerpeiece film "My Uncle Rafael" headlined an
exquisite program of films on Friday, the 23rd of September.
Writer/Producer/Actor Vahik Pirhamzei, director Marc Fusco,
co-screenwriter Scott Yagemann, actress Missi Pyle and other cast
and crew attended the sold out North American Premiere.
This year, the Festival screened over 30 films from 15 countries.
Closing Night featured the North American premiere of Mahsun
Kirmizigul's action drama "Five Minarets in New York," sending the
Festival out with a bang and a record crowd over three days.
The Festival's prestigious Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award was
presented to Bryan Single for his documentary " Children of War,"
which was filmed in Uganda and tells the story of a group of former
child soldiers as they escape the battlefield and undergo a remarkable
process of trauma therapy and emotional healing. Two of Wegner's
grandchildren, Giulia and Fiammena, were on hand to co-present the
annual award.
Festival Presenting Sponsor AT&T's Award for Environmental Conservation
and Stewardship was awarded to Susan Edwards for "Marion Stoddart:
The Work of 1000," a documentary short about a remarkable woman who
transformed herself from a 1960s housewife to a citizen leader and
environmental hero honored by the United Nations.
Other notable award recipients included Eric Nazarian, Best Short
winner for "Bolis," Arman Yeritsyan and Inna Sahakyan, Best Documentary
winners for "The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia," screenwriters
Vahik Pirhamzei and Scott Yagemann and director Marc Fusco for "My
Uncle Rafael," and Ahmad Zahra, producer of Best Feature Film winner
"Three Veils."
Vahik Pirhamzei was also awarded the Festival's 2011 Breakthrough
Artist Award. During the festival, the international distribution
company Slater Brothers acquired the rights to distribute My Uncle
Rafael.
The jury consisted of industry veterans Ara Keshishian and Jeff
Speich, both motion picture talent agents at Creative Artists Agency,
and Owen Ward, producer and marketing executive.
The Arpa International Film Festival committee wishes to thank its
patrons for their continued support as it embarks on preparations
for its jubilee 15th year.
http://www.reporter.am/index.cfm?objectid=974FC210-00DB-11E1-B4DC0003FF3452C2
Published: Thursday October 27, 2011
Giulia and Fiammena Wegner, granddaughters of Armin T. Wegner, and
Filmmaker Bryan Single.
Hollywood, Calif. - The 14th annual Arpa International Film Festival,
presented by AT&T YP.com, captivated the hearts and minds of audiences
over three days at the glamorous Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.
Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art's (AFFMA) signature event kicked
off with the Opening Night Los Angeles premiere of Braden King's
"HERE" on September 22nd. The film, starring Ben Foster and Lubna
Azabal, was shot entirely in Armenia.
The Festival's Centerpeiece film "My Uncle Rafael" headlined an
exquisite program of films on Friday, the 23rd of September.
Writer/Producer/Actor Vahik Pirhamzei, director Marc Fusco,
co-screenwriter Scott Yagemann, actress Missi Pyle and other cast
and crew attended the sold out North American Premiere.
This year, the Festival screened over 30 films from 15 countries.
Closing Night featured the North American premiere of Mahsun
Kirmizigul's action drama "Five Minarets in New York," sending the
Festival out with a bang and a record crowd over three days.
The Festival's prestigious Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award was
presented to Bryan Single for his documentary " Children of War,"
which was filmed in Uganda and tells the story of a group of former
child soldiers as they escape the battlefield and undergo a remarkable
process of trauma therapy and emotional healing. Two of Wegner's
grandchildren, Giulia and Fiammena, were on hand to co-present the
annual award.
Festival Presenting Sponsor AT&T's Award for Environmental Conservation
and Stewardship was awarded to Susan Edwards for "Marion Stoddart:
The Work of 1000," a documentary short about a remarkable woman who
transformed herself from a 1960s housewife to a citizen leader and
environmental hero honored by the United Nations.
Other notable award recipients included Eric Nazarian, Best Short
winner for "Bolis," Arman Yeritsyan and Inna Sahakyan, Best Documentary
winners for "The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia," screenwriters
Vahik Pirhamzei and Scott Yagemann and director Marc Fusco for "My
Uncle Rafael," and Ahmad Zahra, producer of Best Feature Film winner
"Three Veils."
Vahik Pirhamzei was also awarded the Festival's 2011 Breakthrough
Artist Award. During the festival, the international distribution
company Slater Brothers acquired the rights to distribute My Uncle
Rafael.
The jury consisted of industry veterans Ara Keshishian and Jeff
Speich, both motion picture talent agents at Creative Artists Agency,
and Owen Ward, producer and marketing executive.
The Arpa International Film Festival committee wishes to thank its
patrons for their continued support as it embarks on preparations
for its jubilee 15th year.