Azad Hye news portal reports that UNICA (Union International Du Cinema) is an international umbrella for national non-commercial film making organizations, designed to promote friendship between nations.UNICA was established in 1931. Currently it has 36 country-members. Armenia is represented in UNICA since 2010 through the Center of Armenian Non-Commercial Cinema (CANC) headed by Artashes Hovhannisyan. CANC brings together all independent film producers from Armenia and the Diaspora.
Artashes Hovhannisyan received the UNICA’s Gold Medal for his film “Conductors” in 1988 and became the only winner from the ex-Soviet Union.
In September 2010, Armenia became a member of the UNICA. Every year, UNICA holds non-commercial, independent or authored film festivals during which each country presents 5-6 documentaries, animated or feature films.
UNICA’s World Championship is the highlight of the annual meeting, when each country presents a selection of films produced during the past year. Prizes are awarded by an international jury which also includes professional filmmakers: the most interesting productions are awarded gold, silver or bronze medals. The “UNICA-Jeunesse” competition is intended for young filmmakers up to the age of 25.
In 2012 UNICA’s World Championship took place in Ruse, Bulgaria.
Before taking part in the festival, CANC organized its own pan Armenian film competition to select the participating movies. Out of 23 films 7 were chosen: “Old and New Kond”, “The Secret of Light”, “Error”, “I am Happy”, “Let’s Start from the Beginning” and one multiplication movie.
During the opening ceremony in Ruse, Bulgaria, the Armenian delegation paraded with the national costumes. A representative of the Armenian Church in Bulgaria attended the event. Armenia occupied the seventh position on the list of 34 participating countries, receiving one silver and two bronze medals.
An achievement for the Armenian delegation was the inclusion of Artashes Hovhannisian in the “UNICA Committee” as Counselor, although Armenia has been a member of UNICA only recently (2010).
Hovhannisyan was selected as a jury member in this year’s festival too. Emma Karapetyan, the author of “Old and New Kond” documentary movie, was selected as jury member for the World Minute Movie Cup, being the only young jury out of five.
After the mastery seminar designated for the young people, a film was produced with the help of all young participants, in which Armenia was included.
