LOS ANGELES–“Les Oublies De L’Histoire” received the Best Film award at the 2010 Arpa International Awards Closing Night Gala on Sunday, September 26, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The evening was attended by many celebrities and dignitaries including Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia. Actress Raya Meddine hosted the evening to help announce the winning films of the 13th Arpa International Film Festival.
The winners were selected from over 50 features, shorts and documentary films from 30 countries that screened during the six day festival. Renowned singer Natalie Der-Mesropian entertained throughout the event. Presenting the award for Best Short Film “Nuit Blanche” (Canada) were Actor James Duke Mason and HLN’s, Brad Pomerance. Hrach Titizian, 2008 Arpa award winner for Best Screenplay (“Float”) and actress Mary Apick were on hand to present the Best Documentary honour to “From Ararat to Zion” (Armenia,Egypt,Israel,Turkey) narrated by Aidan Quinn. Actor David Alpay and At&t’s Shani Belisle presented the Arpa/At&t Award for Environmental Conservation and Stewardship to the German film “Scientists Under Attack: Genetic Engineering in the Magnetic Field of Money”. AFFMA’s (Arpa Foundation for Film Music and Art) founder Sylvia Minassian presented the Arpa Foundation Award to Armenian Missionary Association of America’s Orphan/Child Care Program (AMAA). Presenting the Francophone Award to the feature “Les Barons” (France,Belgium)from the inaugural Francophone-Fest Cinema sidebar was Francophone chamber of commerce president Philippe Guionnet and actress Heather McComb.
Actress Anoush NeVart presented the Best Screenplay award to co-writers Marine Zakaryan, Thomas Schlesinger, Hovhannes Galstyan (who also directed the film) for “Bonded Parallels” (Norway,France,Armenia)- Serge Avedikian, who is in the film ,accepted on the writer’s behalf. Actor Ken Davitian gave the Best Director honours to Ralph Kinnard “A Me Mi Gusta” (Venezuela), and actor Vik Sahay concluded the evening presenting the Best Film award to “Les Oublies De L’Histoire” and the film’s producer Hassan Benjelloun, who also directed and co-wrote the script with Toufik Taha.
Earlier in the week two of the festival’s honorary awards were given as Alek Keshishian presented Paris filmmaker Serge Avedikian (“Chienne D’Histoire”) with the Career Achievement Award at Thursday ( September 23) evening’s Francophone-Fest celebration. On Friday, September 24th the festival honoured German Filmmaker Eric Friedler with the Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award following the screening of his documentary “Aghet: A Genocide”.
This year’s esteemed festival jury included journalist Scott Davis (author TekWar Chronicles), Frank Guttler ( film/video educator who served as Producer and Associate Director of the AFI Screen Education Center), Geoff Yim (Producer), Valerie McCaffrey (Producer “Lies My Mother Told Me”) and actor Ken Davitian ( “Borat” and “Get Smart”). Francophone-Fest jurists include Georges N. Chamchoum (Producer,director of The Monaco Charity Film Festival, in Monte Carlo), Helene E. Hagan, (Founder of the Los Angeles Amazigh Film Festival) and Laurent Morlet (TV and film producer, and former Executive Director of the Los Angeles Film and TV Office of the French Embassy )
Jury Award Winners
Best Short Film
Nuit Blanche (Canada)
Arev Manoukian (D/W/P), Stephanie Swedlove (P)
Best Documentary Film
From Ararat To Zion (Armenia, Egypt, Israel, Turkey)
Edgar Baghdasaryan(D) Fr. Mesrop Aramian (W/P), Aidan Quinn (Narrator)
Best Screenplay
Hovhannes Galstyan, Marine Zakaryan,Thomas Schlesinger
“Bonded Parallels” (Norway,France,Armenia)
Francophone Award
Les Barons – (France,Belgium)
Nabil Ben Yadir (D/W), Laurent Brandenbourger (W),Sebastien Delloye, Diane
Elbaum (P)
Best Director
Ralph Kinnard “A Me Mi Gusta” (Venezuela)
Best Feature Film
Les Oublies De L’histoire (Morocco,Belgium)
Hassan Benjelloun (P) directed and co-wrote with Toufik Taha
Honorary Awards
Armin.T.Wegner Humanitarian Award
Eric Friedler
Arpa Career Achievement Award
Serge Avedikian
Arpafoundation Award
Armenian Missionary Association of American
Arpa/At&T Award For Environmental Conservation And Stewardship
“Scientist Under Attack: Genetic Engineering in the Magnetic Field of
Money” (Germany)
Bertram Verhaag (D/W), Claus Strigler (P)
AFFMA
The annual film festival is the signature event of Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA). Founded in 1995 for the purpose of enhancing the creative environment of the Los Angeles community, AFFMA is a non-profit organization that supports artists who bridge the cultural divide. AFFMA annually stages the festival, concerts, art exhibits, networking events, and film benefits. To send AFFMA a tax-deductible donation, please mail donations to AFFMA – 2919 Maxwell St., Los Angeles, CA 90027. All donations go towards the production of AFFMA’s annual film festival. www.affma.org
Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award is named after German author and human rights activist Armin Theophil Wegner (October 16, 1886 – May 17, 1978).
His photographs documenting the plight of the Armenians comprise the core of witness images of the Genocide. He was subsequently interned in Nazi concentration camps for denouncing the persecution of Jews in Germany. He died at age 92 in exile in Rome.
AT&T Real Yellow Pages and YP.COM presents the festival’s second annual AT&T Award for Environmental Conservation and Stewardship. The award highlights the shared commitment between sponsor AT&T and the festival to foster green initiatives in cinema. Visit YP.COM, the new YELLOWPAGES.COM website for more information.
Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia & Independence DayThe Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles is responsible for providing services to Armenian citizens and US residents in the Western United States. Under the Consulate’s auspices, the film festival celebrated the 19th anniversary of Armenian Independence on the fest’s opening night, Tuesday, September 21 at the Egyptian Theatre.
The Francophone & French Chamber Of Commerce Of Los Angeles And Orange County
An organization dedicated to promoting the development of trade, business, products and culture between the USA and countries which belong to the International Organization of Francophone. For further information, visit www.fcclaoc.com
© 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc.