You can’t appreciate where Armenian cinema is going without understanding where it’s been – Armen Karaoghlanian

Oragir.News conducted an exclusive interview with Armen Karaoghlanian, President of the Armenian Film Festival, discussing the festival’s creation, its challenges and achievements, the bridge between Armenian cinema’s past and present, and the presence of Armenians in global cinema.

-Let’s begin at the very start. What inspired you to establish the Armenian Film Festival in Glendale, and what space did you feel was missing in the U.S. film culture that this festival could fill?
Armen Karaoghlanian -The Armenian Film Festival was born after many years of the Armenian Film Society hosting year-round programming. In 2023, we felt we had built a strong enough community to take the next step and launch a festival. There wasn’t another film festival dedicated solely to Armenian films and filmmakers, and we wanted to create a space that celebrates these artists and puts their work at the center.

-Starting a festival is always a bold act. What were the very first challenges you faced in bringing the Armenian Film Festival to life, and how did you overcome them?
Armen Karaoghlanian -The funny thing is, we didn’t think it'd be a challenge at all. We had already hosted hundreds of events and screenings by that point, so we assumed it'd just be a matter of condensing everything into a single week. We quickly learned that wasn’t the case. The biggest challenge was logistical. We are a small team with limited resources, so building a cohesive and structured film festival was much harder than we expected.

-Armenian festivals often stand at the intersection of cultural celebration and cinematic art. How does the Armenian Film Festival balance between being a cultural event for the diaspora and a film festival with international ambitions?
Armen Karaoghlanian -That's a balance that is at the heart of what we do. The Armenian Film Festival, on one hand, is deeply rooted in the community. It's a space for the Armenian diaspora to come together, celebrate our culture, and see ourselves represented on screen. Simultaneously, we also approach it with the same rigor as any international film festival. We want to showcase world-class cinema by Armenian filmmakers and position their work alongside the broader global conversation. We have always strived to celebrate Armenian stories in a way that resonates both within our community and far beyond.

-When programming for a U.S. audience—half Armenian, half non-Armenian—what kind of responsibility do you feel in how Armenian cinema “speaks” to those two very different perspectives?
Armen Karaoghlanian -We have to honor both. This means programming films that are layered, accessible for non-Armenians, yet launched enough for those deeply rooted in the culture.

-What is the main guiding principle when selecting films—artistic quality, cultural relevance, or accessibility to audiences?
Armen Karaoghlanian -They all matter, but artistic quality is non-negotiable. We want films that could stand proudly in any international festival. We look at cultural resonance and how audiences might connect as an additional component.

-Many Armenian filmmakers today are based abroad. Do you view their work as part of Armenian national cinema, or as a distinct diasporan voice with its own identity?
Armen Karaoghlanian -In many ways, both. I’ve often considered diaspora works as “Armenian cinema,” because Armenian cinema has always been, by nature, a product of its diasporic filmmakers. It's always been transnational: our filmmakers carry Armenia with them, no matter where in the world they create. Diaspora voices bring unique perspectives shaped by distance, assimilation, or exile. Together, they expand and enrich what “Armenian cinema” can mean.

-The festival also engages with classic Armenian films and restorations. How important is it for you to create a dialogue between heritage cinema and contemporary works?
Armen Karaoghlanian -Essential. You can’t appreciate where Armenian cinema is going without understanding where it’s been.

-Glendale is home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside of Armenia. How has the local audience shaped the character and priorities of your festival?
Armen Karaoghlanian -Glendale is such a big part of our identity. The audiences here are passionate and vocal, and their appetite for Armenian stories has really pushed us to think bigger. This community is also so diverse. We can’t program narrowly. We have to embrace the full breadth of the Armenian experience.

-Beyond the screenings, what efforts do you make—panels, Q&As, workshops—to deepen the audience’s engagement with Armenian cinema?
Armen Karaoghlanian -We've always seen screenings as the starting point. We don't always follow the traditional blueprint of a film festival. We want to offer unique experiences. Q&As give audiences direct dialogue with filmmakers. Panels allow us to tackle larger themes of identity, diaspora, representation. The goal is to transform passive viewing into active engagement.

-Not so many people in Armenia are aware of the festival’s existence in Glendale. Do you see this as a challenge, and are there efforts to build stronger awareness and connections with audiences in Armenia itself?
Armen Karaoghlanian -It's both a challenge and an opportunity. We want to be a bridge, not a silo like so many organizations and film festivals have been in the past. We want to strengthen ties with Armenian filmmakers, film festivals, and institutions.

-Every national-identity-based festival faces unique challenges. What are the most pressing difficulties in organizing an Armenian festival within the competitive U.S. cultural landscape?
Armen Karaoghlanian -The world is saturated with film festivals. You must have strong branding and solid programming. The biggest challenge is resources, but these challenges also push us to innovate and define our unique voice.

-Financial and institutional support are critical for sustainability. How does your festival ensure its future—through community fundraising, partnerships, or wider cultural alliances?
Armen Karaoghlanian -Community support is our backbone. We've also built partnerships with institutions, businesses, and various collaborators. Sustainability comes from diversifying, so that no single source determines our future.

-After a century of Armenian cinema, where do you see it positioned on the global cinematic map—an emerging voice, or a tradition awaiting rediscovery?
Armen Karaoghlanian -It's a little of both, but there is immense opportunity as an emerging voice. The new generation of filmmakers are emerging with bold, innovative work that is built on what's come before them.

-There are Armenian film festivals in Yerevan, London, Sydney, and beyond. Do you envision building stronger ties between these events, creating a more unified global Armenian cinematic network?
Armen Karaoghlanian -We've always been interested in building stronger ties with our partners. We don’t need to compete. We need to collaborate. That's true of film festivals, but also all Armenian organizations and individuals.

-As the latest edition of the festival has just concluded, what would you personally highlight as its most memorable moments—whether in terms of films, audience reception, or the overall cultural impact?
Armen Karaoghlanian -This year's Armenian Film Festival was incredibly emotional for me. We welcomed audiences from all over the world, including Armenia, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and beyond. We had over 3,000 attendees over the course of five days. We were all moved to tears, laughter, and had the opportunity to share moments together that will last a lifetime. We're deeply grateful.


Elen Danielyan