Apricot Tree Ujan International Documentary Film Festival

About

Apricot Tree Ujan International Film Festival or simply Ujan IFF takes place annually in the first days of October in Armenia's capital city of Yerevan and the village of Ujan. It is as much a celebration of anthropological and ethnographic documentary films that depict the heartbeats of diverse ethnic groups and communities, as it is a platform where filmmakers from around the world can meet, share and discuss ideas in a friendly atmosphere and possibly make plans for future collaborations.

To this end, Apricot Tree is devoid of red carpets and grandiose ceremonies. Instead, the festival is mainly held in the village of Ujan, just 40 minutes away from Yerevan, where participants are accommodated in the houses of the villagers. Apricot Tree aims at creating a cozy friendly environment where participants can bond with one another and the audience and the people of Ujan, gain new knowledge about the world by watching each other's films and not least of all – have fun.

Through various excursions to museums and landmarks participants of the festival are given the opportunity to get acquainted with Armenian culture and history. They are invited to hike, explore and share bread with the hospitable people of Ujan.

Daily Movie Conversations are held, where participants talk about various aspects and problems of documentary filmmaking that they've encountered. In addition to that, an annual round table conference is organized within the frames of the festival, where various issues of contemporary cinema are discussed.

Apricot Tree has two competition programs – Feature-length (above 41 minutes) and Short (under 40 minutes).

The festival also has a Non-competition program that includes retrospectives and screenings of notable films that are relevant to the festival’s theme.

The goal of Ujan IFF is to acquaint audiences with the customs and traditions, arts and craft of big and small nations, the emotional and mental of the modern urban and rural human and to interest young filmmakers in the ethnographic and anthropological material, stimulating their creative search in that direction. Ujan IFF is the initiative of the FILMADARAN Film Culture Development Organization.

Awards

The jury, operating on a democratic basis with equal votes for everyone, hands out awards in the following categories:

• Grand Prix – Feature-length competition
• Special Jury Prize – Feature-length competition
• Grand Prix – Short docs competition
• Special Jury Prize – Short docs competition

Also, Special prizes are presented by the Ujan Community Council and Filmadaran Film Culture Development NGO.

Rules

Only filmmakers with documentaries ethnographic and anthropological films can apply.

There is no age limitation for the films.

The application can be filled at the web site. The films are accepted in all digital formats and it is preferable that they be available on downloadable internet links. If no link is available DVD screeners should be sent by regular post.

Screening media type: MP4 H.264 codec.

Subtitle language: English

Premiere Requirements

No premiere requirement

Jury and Organizers

Organisers:

• Filmadaran Film Culture Development NGO
• Folk Arts Hub Foundation

Sponsor:

• Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia