The Armenian Film Festival London is preparing to open its second edition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) on 4–7 December 2025, reaffirming its position as one of the key platforms for Armenian cinema in the UK. After a successful debut in 2024, the festival returns under the auspices of the Armenian Embassy in the United Kingdom, this time with a noticeably expanded programme and a stronger emphasis on both Armenian and diasporan voices.
According to co-founders Kira Adibekov and Tatevik Ayvazyan, the new edition raises expectations on every level. They describe this year’s line-up as a meeting point between cultural heritage and contemporary artistic experimentation — where Charles Aznavour stands alongside new British-Armenian creatives, and where established directors share the programme with emerging voices. “We are waiting for the magical moment of the lights going down before our films,” they note, emphasising the festival’s growing ambition.
Over four days, ICA’s screens will host feature films, documentaries, shorts, artist films and newly restored classics, accompanied by Q&As, lectures, introductions, receptions and DJ sets. The curators continue to pursue a programme that reflects the diversity of Armenian cinema — geographically, stylistically, and in terms of artistic intent.
The festival opens with the UK premiere of Monsieur Aznavour, the highly anticipated biopic and César Awards nominee exploring the early life and rise of the French-Armenian icon. The programme continues with the UK premiere of Tamara Stepanyan’s My Armenian Phantoms, selected as Armenia’s official Academy Awards submission and presented in person by the filmmaker. Another high-profile guest, director Eric Nazarian, arrives in London for the UK premiere of his new feature Die Like a Man — a tense, character-driven drama immersed in themes of street violence and revenge.
A major highlight of this year’s edition is a new section titled From Shadows to Light, dedicated to restored masterpieces. The UK will see the new 4K restoration of Atom Egoyan’s Cannes Grand Prix-winning The Sweet Hereafter (1997), followed by a screening of Sergei Parajanov’s cross-disciplinary short Hakob Hovnatanyan (1967). The latter will be accompanied by an illustrated lecture from the director of the Sergei Parajanov Museum in Yerevan, offering additional historical and artistic context.
British-Armenian filmmakers once again have a significant presence in the programme. The returning British Armenian Focus section brings together four award-winning short films that examine identity, migration, resilience and the idea of homecoming. The festival’s closing event will feature the London premiere of Richard Melkonian’s long-awaited sci-fi debut UNIVERSE25.
The festival is organised by the Armenian Film Society London, founded by Adibekov and Ayvazyan — both of whom have extensive experience in curation, producing, and cultural programming. Their combined backgrounds include work with GES-2, Whitechapel Gallery, Rebel Republic Films, Berlinale CICAE Jury, and the Armenian Institute.
This year’s programme is supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London within the BFI Film Audience Network and funded by the National Lottery. The organisers also acknowledge the contribution of Ego Film Arts, the Sergei Parajanov Museum, Richard Anooshian, the Benlian Trust, the Yesai and Maria Mazmanian Foundation, Stephan Avetoom, and numerous crowdfunder supporters who helped make the festival possible.
