Ron Gilbert

A Gracious and
Grateful Closing Night at ARPA International Film Festival

By Ron Gilbert

On one of the warmest
evenings the closing night at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Alex Kalognomos the festival’s artistic director introduced
the hostess

actress Raya Meddine  who welcomed everyone in 6 languages The event
was

attended by many celebrities and dignitaries including
Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of
the Republic of Armenia

I was very taken by the
hospitality of the staff and guests. The Armenian community welcomed films from
Belgium, France, Austria, Germany, Iran and other countries. This annual film festival is
the signature event of Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA). 

The Armenians welcome
everyone with open and smiles and of course delicious food and drink. I was
escorted by Anush Hovsepyan, who has her own radio show, and she
introduced me to the editors and writers of the magazine Yerevan who immediately fit me right in. I have Mediterranean
looks so I could have been of Armenian descent, so that was simple

A message about DRASPORA
with video clips from ARKA was shown prior the award presentation because social
awareness is on the top of their list.

All the presenters were so happy to be there that I
feel that it is very important to present their names along with the awards
presented

So here we go:
Best Short
Film "Nuit Blanche" presenters James Duke Mason and Brad Pomerance.

Best Documentary   "From Ararat to Zion" presenters Hrach Titizian, and Mary
Apick 
Arpa/AT&T
Award for Environmental Conservation and Stewardship to the German film
"Scientists under Attack:  Genetic
Engineering in the Magnetic Field of Money". presenter David Alpay
and  AT&T’s Shani Belisle

Arpa Foundation Award to Armenian Missionary
Association of America's
Orphan/Child Care Program (AMAA). presented
by founder of ARPA , Sylvia Minassian who adds classic grace to any event

Francophone Award to the feature "Les
Barons" was presented by Francophone chamber of commerce president
Philippe Guionnet and actress Heather McComb.

Best Screenplay award to co-writers Marine Zakaryan,
Thomas Schlesinger, Hovhannes Galstyan (who also directed the film) for
"Bonded Parallels" presented by Anoush NeVart and presented toSerge Avedikian, who is in the film, and accepted on
the writer's behalf

Best Director award was Ralph Kinnard "A Me Mi
Gusta" (Venezuela) presented by Ken Davitian

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.presented by  Vik Sahay

We also need to include these awards presented prior
to closing night which need to be mentioned.

An honorary award was presented on opening night to Paris filmmaker Serge Avedikian ("Chienne
D'Histoire") with the Career Achievement Award at evening's Francophone
Fest celebration. by Alek Keshishian

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".

Renowned singer Natalie
Der-Mesropian entertained during the event. and the  courtyard reception 
was sponsored by . AT&T YP.com and Chivas Regal who served

Be sure to put it on your calendar
for next year

www.affma.org