25 June 2025
Continuing its strategic direction of international film cooperation, the Cinema Foundation of Armenia took part in the roundtable discussion titled “Contemporary Cinema: Film Production and the Audience” held at the “Lenfilm” film studio in Saint Petersburg. The event was organized within the framework of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, with the participation of heads of public and private institutions in the film industry from Russia and CIS countries.
Armenia was represented by David Banuchyan, Director of the Cinema Foundation of Armenia, who shared proposals and observations related to the film industry during the discussion, highlighting the industry’s key development challenges and the importance of international collaboration.
The purpose of the roundtable was to bring together representatives of film studios, foundations, and cultural institutions from CIS countries to jointly analyze current cinematographic challenges, technological innovations, changes in audience behavior, and opportunities for creative collaboration. Particular attention was given to the need to deepen cooperation in co-productions, educational initiatives, and film heritage preservation.
During the meeting, the Director of the Cinema Foundation of Armenia presented the strategic directions of Armenian film production, priorities for expanding international presence, and emphasized Armenia’s readiness to participate in joint projects initiated within the CIS framework. In this context, the ongoing cooperation between Armenia and “Lenfilm” was also highlighted, particularly around the “Ararat Island” co-production project. The project aims to unite regional creative potential, addressing the synthesis of national identity, historical memory, and content relevant to contemporary audiences.
Technological solutions implemented by “Lenfilm” in the fields of post-production, digitization, and restoration were also presented during the meeting. The Cinema Foundation of Armenia, which in recent years has taken active steps toward the digitization of Armenian film heritage and its international accessibility, views this experience as a practical and effective foundation for developing and expanding its own programs.
The discussion and the dialogue established between participants once again confirmed that Armenian cinema, as a cultural platform with unique content, holds great potential for cooperation. The Cinema Foundation of Armenia believes that within regional film production partnership networks, Armenian cinema should be represented not only as a bearer of heritage but also as a creative platform offering innovative ideas. From this perspective, such international meetings provide opportunities for deepening cultural dialogue and creating joint projects.
Cinema Foundation of Armenia
Public Relations Department
