Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art | |
Type: | Non-profit |
Founded Date: | 1995 |
Founder: | Sylvia Minassian |
Location: | Los Angeles, California |
Key People: | Sylvia Minassian (Chairwoman) Angelo Ghailian (Vice Chairman) |
Area Served: | United States |
Method: | Annual Arpa International Film Festival |
Homepage: | http://www.affma.org |
Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA) is a Los Angeles based non-profit organization, formed in 1995 for the purpose of promoting the arts of the Armenian diaspora; Arpa takes its name from the Arpa river, in Armenia and Azerbaijan.[1]
AFFMA has been running its annual Arpa International Film Festival held in Hollywood, California since 1997.[2] Arpa Film Festival claims to be one of the oldest independent film festivals in Hollywood,[3] highlighting films that explore critical issues such as war, genocide, diaspora, dual identities, exile and multiculturalism.[4] In 2021, the festival went virtual due to COVID,[5] and 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of the festival.[4] [6]