It was a big night for big names in show business at the 10th Annual Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA) closing night gala awards Sunday night. Rounding off a star studded weekend that kicked off with film screenings at the world famous Egyptian Theatre and a whirlwind opening party featuring System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, the ceremonies held at Universal City’s Sheraton Hotel honored filmmakers dedicated to social awareness and cultural understanding.
Mardik Martin’s Impact
The night belonged to legendary screenwriter Mardik Martin, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award and a long standing ovation by his peers. His films which include "Mean Streets", "Raging Bull", "Valentino" and "New York, New York" have left an indelible mark on American cinema that inspire filmmakers to this day.
Mardik Martin’s inspiration as a screenwriter was further evidenced when filmmakers Ramy Katrib and Evan York received an award for their documentary "Mardik: From Baghdad to Hollywood", which chronicles the screenwriter’s life. The documentary was shown as part of the AFFMA Film Festival and enjoyed critical success at the Rogue Film Festival playing this past weekend. "Mardik: From Baghdad to Hollywood" will also be showing at the Starz Denver Film Festival later this month.
Honored Guests
Hosted by Broadway’s leading man, Brent Barrett, honorees receiving awards for excellence in their fields included Academy Award Nominated Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo from "House of Sand and Fog" for the ARPA Career Achievement Award, Ken Davitian of "Borat" the Comedic Performance Award, and Carla Garapedian for the prestigious Armin T. Wegner Award for her innovative and important documentary examining the Armenian Genocide.
Faces in the Crowd
Celebrities also in attendance at the 10th Annual ARPA Film Festival Gala included Kat Kramer, "The Scorpion King’s" Angelica Castro, Cristian de La Fuente, screenwriter Mark Fergus and his wife Julie, director and writer of "Darfur Now" Ted Braun, Emmy award winning actor Michael Goorjian, actress Emily Rios, Frances Fisher, Rocco G, Kris Thavit, Katherine Bailess, the Holly Scoop Girls, and singer Natalie Dermesropian pleasing the crowd with her throaty belt of "Cabaret’s" classic number "Mein Herr."
About AFFMA
Founding member of AFFMA, Sylvia Minassian gave Arpa its name after the Arpa River of Armenia. With the film festival in its 10th anniversary the efforts and mission of AFFMA have not gone unnoticed. Over 500 members contribute to the promotion of the arts as an active medium to generate social and cultural understanding. In these times of global uncertainty, the time for dialogue may be more critical now than ever. While it is an honor to acknowledge the contributions of such big names in show business, it does far more honor to follow their lead and join the mission and purpose of AFFMA.
To learn more about AFFMA please visit www.affma.org.
Although I wasn’t at this event (and, man, do I wish I could have been), your terrific story made me feel as if I were. Thank you.
I only hope that Mr. Martin has more screen stories in him. The films he has written have affected me greatly, as I’m sure they have for a great many other movie fans.
Ty Scribner