Arpa International Film Festival, the longest-running independent film festival in Hollywood, is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year. After a hiatus due to the 2020 pandemic, the festival is back with its first in-person event on November 18 and 19 at Hollywood’s iconic Ricardo Montalbán Theatre. Since its inception, the festival has been dedicated to showcasing films that promote cultural understanding and global empathy.

This year’s lineup of nominated films will continue to explore socially relevant themes such as diaspora, war, genocide, dual identity, exile, and multiculturalism. Audiences can expect a diverse tapestry of inspiring films from around the world, encouraging connections and fostering progressive cinematic art.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the closing night ceremony on November 19th. This event, which is free of charge, will feature an awards ceremony honoring the winning filmmakers. In addition, Inna Sahakyan, director and producer of “Aurora’s Sunrise,” will be presented with the prestigious Armin T Wegner Humanitarian Award.

Throughout the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Q&A sessions after the screenings of four films: “The Motel Room,” “The Echoes of Kef Time,” “The Uncanny,” and “Carnivore.” As an added bonus, up-and-coming filmmakers and student filmmakers can join a free panel discussion on November 19th, featuring industry professionals such as Roger Kupelian, Michelle Alexandria, Mary Apick, Micky Levy, and Ara Soudjian.

The virtual component of the Arpa International Film Festival began on October 29th and is streaming over 80 films from 26 countries until November 17th. This online platform allows audiences from around the world to enjoy the hard work and captivating stories of independent filmmakers, free of charge.

For tickets and more information about the festival, please visit the official website.

To purchase festival tickets, visit the official website.

For streaming the ARPA IFF’s virtual festival, visit the official website.