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The 14th Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival will be held from July 9-16. The start of the festival was announced on Monday at a press conference attended by RA Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan, General Manager of the general partner of the festival VivaCell-MTS Ralph Yirikyan and the representatives of the festival.

This year the festival received about 1100 film submissions from 96 countries. More than hundred films were included in the competition and non-competition programs.

Culture minister suggested the Golden Apricot is not only a film bust also a culture festival in the Armenian reality as every year it attracts warmth and joy to Armenia. 

“The festival will play a vital and serious role in our film development concept. The festival is a platform where ideas are exchanged among filmmakers, producers and companies engaged in the industry,” Minister Amiryan said.

The minister next highlighted the role of VivaCell-MTS that had supported the festival and the film development in the country for 14 years, adding without the company’s crucial assistance it wouldn’t be possible to have the festival as it is today.

“There are events, which leave an invaluable mark on the public life: they shape minds, create opportunities to bolster the country’s reputation, and to educate generation. I won’t be mistaken if I say the ‘Golden Apricot’ Film Festival is one of those events in Armenia. It shapes a system of values, uses the language of the art to raise problems, and to sow seeds of beauty and vigor. It has been the visit card of Armenia for 14 years in a row. I am proud of our cooperation and of the festival’s achievements for all these years,” said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.