Events

Dear colleagues and friends,
 

From the August 20 issue of Turkish “Milliyet” daily we learnt about the upcoming 1st International Film Festival in Malatya from November 26 to December 2, 2010, the main prize of which is going to be called “Golden Apricot” (?!). We would like to express our disappointments and deep concerns regarding this fact.
Golden Apricot Yerevan IFF would like also highlight the fact that Golden Apricot is not only the name of our festival established in 2004, but the name of the festival main prize. So, saying that Golden Apricot is the name of the main prize of Malatya IFF and not the name of a new festival will not solve the problem. It is nonsense to have two international festivals with the same prizes - Golden Apricot. Beside, it might create a lot of misunderstandings in the cinema world.
Except of that this question conflicts with the ethics of international festival movement, in our case it has also some other nuance as well.
You know that Yerevan Golden Apricot Film Festival makes consistent efforts for establishing an Armenian-Turkish dialogue, slackening the tension between our two nations, always presenting Turkish cinema and film professionals to the Armenian audience, as well as elaborating and implementing joint projects.
This unfriendly and not prudent step from the side of our colleagues of Malatya can highly damage all the efforts done by you and us. For us it is so painful to read in Armenian media that "now the Turks have stolen our "Golden Apricot" and similar formulations.
Hope, the organizers of Malatya IFF will find a solution in this difficult for all of us situation and it will be the right way of establishing professional collaboration.

If you share our concern please send your opinion to the organizers of the film festival in Malatya.

With best regards,
Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE GOLDEN APRICOT FILM FESTIVAL
FILM DIRECTOR ATOM EGOYAN

From its very first year, I have been involved with The Golden Apricot Film Festival. It is moving for me to welcome you to Yerevan, a city I first visited almost twenty years ago. The spirit and tradition of cinema is deeply embedded in the Armenian soul, as this has always been a true crossroad of many different cultures. More than any other art form of the past century, cinema has been able to express the nuances of the human condition, and we are proud to welcome you to this Festival which has grown in such an astonishing and positive way.
Each Festival is the result of a special alchemy, with the selection of films combining with the special energy of the invited guests and filmmakers. I trust that your stay in Yerevan will be valuable, that you will find the time to explore the city, and that you will find films that excite your imagination. A festival exists as a physical reality, but also as a mysterious event that takes place in the soul of each individual participant, as you interact with personalities and images from around the world. Have a great journey! You are most welcome in this ancient land!