Pomegranate Film Festival releases schedule

The 8th annual Pomegranate Film Festival will take place from Nov. 7-10 in Toronto.  

The Pom Film Festival, presented by Hamazkayin, has released the schedule that features nearly 40 films from 16 different countries with several films focusing on some of the most iconic figures of Armenian culture including Daniel Varoujan, Misak Metzarents, William Saroyan and Sergei Paradjanov.

The Pomegranate Film Festival, established in 2006 stems from the Toronto Chapter of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society. A group of young Armenian professionals, bound by a passion for film and culture. Now in it’s seventh year, the Pomegranate Film Festival is a unique community event celebrating Armenian inspired film.

Thursday November 7th @ Hamazkayin Theatre (50 Hallcrown Place, Toronto)

Lebanese-Armenian Director Nigol Bezjian will be attending from Beirut to present the North American Premiere of MILK, CARNATIONS & A GODLY SONG: The Legacy of Daniel Varoujan.

Although the Armenian nation's beloved poet was murdered nearly 100 years ago, his legacy lives on.

Doors open @ 7pm, reception sponsored by LARA'S RESTAURANT, film @ 7:30pm with an introduction by Father Meghrig Parikian who starred in Bezjian's earlier film MURON.

Friday November 8th @ Regent Theatre (555 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto) 11:30pm

Vahak is a struggling young actor with seemingly little interest in his identity until he earns a role in a play written by Misak Metzarents.

Directed by Hayk Hambartsum, METZARENTS will be presented at the SYMPHONY OF FILM MIDNIGHT MADNESS series with 10 other short films with all proceeds to benefit Syrian-Armenian Relief efforts.

Saturday November 9th @ Hamazkayin Theatre 1pm

WILLIAM SAROYAN: THE ORIGINAL MR. MOVEMBER
SAROYANLAND directed by Lusin Dink who follows in her late uncle's footsteps with this wonderful contribution to her community about William Saroyan's journey to his ancestral home of Bitlis.

Produced by Hamshen Armenian brothers Ozcan & Soner Alper who's previous contributions to POM include; FUTURE LASTS FOREVER (POM VII), MOTTO GUZI FROM KARS (POM VI), AUTUMN (POM IV) and MOMI (POM III).

Intro by Lusin Dink

Saturday November 9th @ Hamazkayin Theatre 7pm Art Exhibit and Gala Presentation

The biopic epic about a man many consider the father of contemporary Armenian film and his battle with the totalitarian Soviet regime.

With an accompanying photo exposition and slide presentation by Kaloust Babian. Director Serge Avedikian will be in attendance following the presentation for an exclusive Question & Answer session moderated by Atom Egoyan (DEVIL's KNOT). Avedikian's previous contributions to the Pomegranate Film Festival have all won awards; ARAM (POM II), WE DRANK THE SAME WATER (POM III), BONDED PARALLELS (POM IV), ARMY OF CRIME (POM V), CHIEN D'HISTOIRE (POM V) and BAD FATHER (POM VII).

The evening will include a musical performance by Marko Bongo & countless stars will be in attendance including Ken Davitian (BORAT) promoting his new film ABSTRACTION, Valerie McCaffrey (LOST & FOUND IN ARMENIA) in town for her new release BETRAYAL and Iranian-Armenian superstar Vahik Pirhamzei (MY UNCLE RAFAEL) visiting Toronto for his latest blockbuster GUARDIAN ANGEL.

Ticket Information

• Individual Tickets $10/ticket
• Devil's Knot Tickets $15/ticket
• 6-Packs $50/6 ticket
• Gala $60/ticket
• Festival Pass $125/all movies including Gala (savings of $80)