Yerevan, 19 March, 2012 On 18 March, 2012 the results of “Hayak” National Film Awards were finalized at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre after Alexander Spendiaryan. First prizes of “Hayak” were awarded to the best films, created in post-independence period, and their authors. Founders of the National Film Awards are National Film Development Foundation, “Orange Armenia” CJSC and National Cinema Center of Armenia. The jury of the film contest was headed by the People’s Artist of Armenia Sos Sargsyan. Artavazd Peleshyan, Sos Sargsyan, Levon Atoyants, Arman Manaryan and Albert Mkrtchyan were awarded for their contribution to the Armenian cinematography. A special prize was awarded to “Orange Armenia”. In the “Best debut” nomination category the prize was awarded to Hovhannes Galstyan (“Bonded Parallels”). The film “Newcomers” by Gayane Martirosyan was recognized as the “Best animation film”. The film “A Story of People in War and Peace” by Vardan Hovhannisyan was recognized as the “Best documentary film”. The prize for the “Best short film” was awarded to Gagik Harutyunyan for the film “Yarkhushta”. Yuri Harutyunyan was awarded in the “Best composer” nomination category (“Where Have You Been, Man of God?”). Vardan Sedrakyan was awarded in the “Best artist” nomination category. Mikayel Poghosyan was awarded as the “Best actor” (“Yerevan jan”), and Anna Elbakyan as the “Best actress” (“Where Have You Been, Man of God?”). In the “Best screenwriter” nomination category the prize was awarded to the screenwriters of the film “Where Have You Been, Man of God?” – Arnold Aghababov and Zorayr Khalapyan. In the “Best cameraman” nomination category the prize was awarded to Vahagn Ter-Hakobyan (“The Documentarist”), and in the “Best director” nomination category the prize was awarded to Harutyun Khachatryan(“Border”). In the “Best screenplay” nomination category the jury awarded the prize to Vigen Chaldranyan(“Dzayn Barbaro”). Bruno Duthoit, CEO of Orange Armenia, said: “We are happy to support and take part in creation and realization of “Hayak” Armenian National Film Awards. We think and believe that the Armenian cinematorgraphy, having a history of more than eight decades, which has its specific role and place in the history of the world cinematograpgy and which after tough times is reviving today, should be recognized and honoured at its true worth. Orange is supporting cinema not only in Armenia: Orange is the official partner of Cannes International Film Festival since more than 10 years and of BAFTA British Film Festival since already 6 years.We hope that “Hayak” National Film Awards will become not only an annual event, which will honour the great actors of the Armenian cinematography, but will also enable to reveal and present to the large audience the new Armenian cinematography, which is not yet fully revealed”. For more information: National Cinema Center of Armenia Press responsible Ruzanna Bagartunyan Phone: 099 43 84 35, 055 43 84 35 Orange Armenia Press responsible Lilith Martirosyan Phone: 095 988 608 lilit.martirosyan@orange-ftgroup.am

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