We would like to thank all of 2020 Sponsors for helping us make the 23rd Annual Arpa International Film Festival powered by Seed&Spark possible. Your generous support continues to embrace gifted filmmakers who are trying to make a difference. Thank you!

WORLD PREMIERE / NOMINATED FOR THE BEST MUSIC VIDEO AWARD

A story about a boy during the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

Director & Writer: Armen Poladian / Producers: Armen Poladian, Vahak Poladian / Executive Producer: Hamo Arzoumanian / Cast: Hamo Arzoumanian, Gabriel Bedrosian, Angelique Astourian-Kirijian, Garo Tawetian, Armen Poladian

LOS ANGELES PREMIERE / NOMINATED FOR THE BEST SHORT FILM AWARD

Eyup, following the mind of a madman, crosses Mount Ararat, begins to search for his aunt and his past. He finds the woman and the house as the mad man has described. But they can't understand each other's language.

Director: Selman Deniz / Writers: Selman Deniz, Zekeriye Aydoğan / Producer: Zekeriye Aydoğan / Cast: Anahit Ghukasyan, Şahin Yalçın, Baran Aktaş, Vedat Oyan

UC IRVINE'S STUDENT FILM

Li Haipeng, a Chinese immigrant in LA, who receives a wedding invitation from his son in hometown, decides to make a choice between continuing his addiction and overcoming it.

Director, Writer & Producer: Xueshi Li / Cast: Kevin Xu ,Wang Donald Yin, Alan Xue

NOMINATED FOR THE BEST SHORT FILM AWARD

When a water contamination issue forces a trailer park to be closed, a young girl must come to terms with leaving everything and everyone she’s ever known behind.

Director: Kyung Sok Kim / Writer & Producer: Rex Reyes II / Cast: Amanda Christine, Tucker Chandler, Jasmin Jean-Louis, Mignon

View the pre-recorded Q&A here.

UC IRVINE'S STUDENT FILM / WORLD PREMIERE

Beto lives a lonely life following the recent death of his wife. When he learns of his grandson's visit, he prepares their favorite dish for the special occasion: Carne Asada.

Director & Writer: Dylan Quintero / Produced by: Nikolas Sani, Dylan Quintero / Cast: Dagoberto Quintero, Sylvia Quintero, Dylan Quintero

After the death of her mentor, an LA-based tween magazine writer returns to her high school best friend after being apart for eleven years. 

Director & Writer: Diego Toussaint / Producers: Maria Fernanda Arroyo, Diego Toussaint / Cast: Helena Corona, Miriana Moro

Traveling between digital consciousness and reality to spend time with his fiancé, Cyan must face the choice of sacrificing one of these worlds.

Director & Writer: Shanshan Zhang / Producers: Shanshan Zhang, Sihan Xu / Cast: Ignacyo Matynia, Nick Genta, Tianyi Ba

NOMINATED FOR THE BEST SHORT ANIMATED FILM AWARD

Based upon a Japanese children's story, "Gon, the Little Fox" by Nankichi Niimi. Gon, a playful fox, finds Hyoju has lost his mother for his own earlier mischiefs and starts making amends by secretly bringing gifts to Hyojyu.

Director: Takeshi Yashiro / Writers: Takaaki Honda. Takeshi Yashiro / Stop-Motion Animation: Takeshi Yashiro, Keita Ueno, Nozomi Sakimura, Yoko Asano / Producers: Masaaki Oikawa, Takanori Toyokawa / Cast: Makoto Tanaka, Miyu Irino, Tatsuya Kohda

View the pre-recorded Q&A here.

Please Note: This film is available to view only in the US.