THE ARMENIAN FILM FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA RETURNS CELEBRATING AUSTRALIAN-ARMENIAN CONNECTIONS AND CINEMATIC LEGENDS

MEDIA RELEASE – 10 July 2024. The Armenian Film Festival Australia (AFFA) proudly announces its 8th edition, set to captivate audiences in Sydney and Melbourne. This year's festival not only showcases the best of Armenian cinema but also celebrates the profound connections between Australia and Armenia and pays tribute to Armenian icons!

Sydney: 16 - 25 August, Event Cinemas Top Ryde

Melbourne: 6-8 September, Lido Cinemas Hawthorn

The festival line-up includes 19 films across drama, comedy, documentary and family friendly films, in addition to tributes to legend Sergei Parajanov as well as Charles Aznavour on the 100^th Anniversary of their birthdays.

Opening the festival, is a World Premiere and uniquely Australian story – The Golden Chain of Mercy.  This story is being told on screen for the first time ever – a story of Australia’s ANZAC connection to the Armenian Genocide and Australia’s first-ever international humanitarian effort. A film highly relevant to today, showing Australia’s compassion and generosity towards a survivor nation. The opening night gala is a spectacular red carpet night featuring celebrity guests and an Armenian themed cocktail party with Armenian food, Armenian wine and live band!

Margaret Chater and Hourie Demirjian, Co-founders and Co-directors of AFFA, expressed their enthusiasm: "We are incredibly proud to present the 8th edition of the Armenian Film Festival Australia, which not only celebrates the rich heritage of Armenian cinema but also highlights the profound connections between Australia, New Zealand, and Armenia. We invite everyone to join us in this celebration of storytelling, resilience, and the enduring human spirit."

AFFA 2024 also pays homage to the legendary filmmaker Sergei Parajanov on his 100th birthday. Cinephiles will be treated to a unique program which includes the screening of his masterpiece, The Colour of Pomegranates (Sayat Nova), widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. This will be in a double-feature with an insightful documentary Sergei Parajanov:The Rebel which is an Australian Premiere. Also attending will also be Vigen Galstyan, film historian from Armenia for a special Q&A session.

The festival continues to spotlight Armenian causes including Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in the wake of the recent ethnic cleansing and the ongoing struggles of the Armenian people in the region. Films such as It’s Spring (Garun A) an epic war-drama and short film Stones shed light on the Artsakh conflict. Blockade highlights the plight of the Armenians of border villages such as Chinari in the Tavush region. From Ararat to Zion spotlights Armenia’s rich Christian history and the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem. All will have insightful Q&A sessions with Festival Guests where patrons can learn more.

The Armenian Film Festival 2024 offers a diverse array of films catering to all audiences, including the comedy Women in Black and after the screening there will be a Social Mixer at the bar. Families are well catered for this year. The animation Anahit returns to the festival and the first-ever Armenian superhero film Vishap based on an ancient Armenian dragon legend is sure to entertain all ages. In honour of the 100th birthday of French-Armenian Charles Aznavour, the festival will screen Aznavour by Charles containing footage filmed by the legend himself. Award winning films include Yasha and Leonid Brezhnev and a stunning program of short films should not be missed.

The festival’s patron is Gladys Berejiklian, former Premier of NSW, who continues to support the festival's mission to bring Armenian stories to Australian audiences.

For the full festival program and to purchase tickets, visit www.armenianfilmfestival.com.au

All films feature English subtitles.

Tickets are on sale now! And don’t miss the early bird discounts.

SYDNEY: The festival opens on 16 August with the Opening Night Gala and runs through to 25 August. All sessions are at Event Cinemas Top Ryde. The popular matinee session returns on Wednesday 21 August at 11am. Early Bird Discounts are available until 2 August 2024.

MELBOURNE: The festival opens on 6 September with the Opening Reception and runs through to 8 September at the Lido Cinemas Hawthorn. Early Bird Discounts are available until 23 August 2024.

The Golden Chain of Mercy is screened in partnership with the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia.

The Armenian Film Festival Australia is an initiative of Hamazkaine Shant Chapter.