"Golden Apricot" sponsored by VivaCell-MTS to kick off on July 12

Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival in a joint press conference with the Ministry of Culture of RA, general Partner VivaCell-MTS and the Yerevan Municipality announced the 12th edition of the festival.

“Art is the power that can change the world, transform people’s minds and their system of value. Art is probably the most influential means of knowing, understanding, respecting each other and, consequently, ensuring peaceful coexistence. Cinema is one the most powerful directions of art due to broader range of expressive means and wider audience. Owing to the “Golden Apricot” festival, for already 12 years the Armenian cinema loving public has an opportunity to feel the rhythm of the time, to get acquainted with the latest trends and developments in the world art, and to encounter with other cultures. VivaCell-MTS is proud to have continuous contribution in the creation and development of this outstanding cultural event,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

“Golden Apricot is one of the most anticipated cultural events  of the year, which would be impossible without these three fundamental pillars – The  Ministry of Culture of RA,  VivaCell-MTS and the Municipality of Yerevan. The upcoming 12th edition of the festival promises to be quite interesting – rich programs, world renowned guests, Yerevan preiemers of international award-winning films etc,” said Harutyun Khachatryan, founding director of Golden Apricot IFF.

The 12th edition of the festival is scheduled to be held from July 12-19.

The official poster of the 12th Golden Apricot IFF, which was created by designer Lilit Malkhasyan, was presented to journalists and guests.

Golden Apricot has kept its main competition programs unchanged.
The juries will be headed by:

•International Feature Competition - Robert Guédiguian (France)
•International Documentary Competition –Marek Hovorka (Czech Republic)
•Apricot Stone International Short Film Competition – Hovik Habechyan (Lebanon)
•Armenian Panorama National Competition – Aleksander Grozev (Bulgaria)

The Festival has received more than 1600 film submissions from 105 countries, which once again proves the growing interest towards the festival and shows the expanding geography of submitting countries (previous year: 1500 submissions from 95 countries).

One of the important themes of the 12th Golden Apricot will be the Armenian Genocide. Two big programs will be arranged within the frames of the festival, dedicated to Genocide: We Exist and Never Again.

Golden Apricot’s traditional Yerevan Premieres, Retrospectives and Tributes will present the masterpieces of world cinema to the spectators.

Film screenings will be accompanied by workshops for students and film amateurs.

The program Directors Across Borders this year will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of RA and will host ministers of culture from different countries. The best films of the participating countries will be screened as part of the program.