Our 2025 Arpa International Film Festival team consists of an experienced and youthful group of professionals from a wide cross-section of the film industry. Their ideas and mutual creative force drive the festival’s production and programming to provide both filmmakers and audiences with the best festival experience possible.
FOUNDER
Sylvia Minassian, who has always had a deep passion for languages and the arts since her youth, holds a Master’s Degree in French Literature. Her passion for the arts led her to start a foundation to promote the arts. The Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA) was founded in 1995 to provide a platform for filmmakers, musicians, and artists whose work explores subjects of social and cultural importance. In 1997, Sylvia Minassian started the annual Arpa International Film Festival, with a mission to create a dynamic forum for international and local filmmakers who explore such issues as diaspora, war, genocide, dual identity, exile, and multiculturalism.
Minassian believes that a festival is, first and foremost, a product of its participants. She takes great pride in representing AFFMA, a nonprofit art foundation whose sole purpose is to recognize the diverse tapestry of international talent and present their creative work to an appreciative audience. Each year, the festival looks forward to screening an exceptional program of films from many different countries, taking great pride in the works of all the filmmakers who, through their brilliant visions, have created their own distinctive place in the global film community.
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Maral Kazazian is one of the first members of AFFMA. She holds a degree in chemistry, but her passion for films has taken her around the world. Along with her husband, she has become a serious student of cinema. Maral’s deep interest in photography allows her to connect more deeply with people and the many avenues they encounter along the way. She reviews films and invites online audiences to engage in creative dialogue on international and independent films.
JURY LIAISON
Sonia Keshishian holds a master’s degree in Dramatic Arts from CSU Los Angeles. While attending the Theatre of Arts, Sonia was one of 40 students selected for the prestigious UCLA Summer Workshop Theatre, where she was singled out by the Los Angeles Times, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter for her work. She has acted opposite such acting giants as Ruth Warrick, James Whitmore, Betty Field, and Walter Abel in several theatre productions. Sonia has been a board member of AFFMA since its inception, serving as jury liaison, where experienced industry professionals help pave the way for talented filmmakers to perfect their craft.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
John Santos is a seasoned entertainment industry veteran with a rich history of contributing to television, theatrical, animation, and video game projects for industry giants such as Warner Bros. and Disney. As a producer, designer, and digital marketer, he is passionate about exploring innovative ways to fuse technology and entertainment to enhance communication through storytelling, visual design, and accessibility — creating experiences that transcend the boundaries of traditional media.
PRODUCER, PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST
With over 15 years of experience in creating and implementing diverse projects across television, public, and commercial sectors, Edgar Ayvazyan has had the privilege of working in Armenia, France, and the USA. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in projects that bridge cultures and highlight talent. Edgar’s experience extends to producing numerous television programs and projects that have enriched the media landscape. In recent years, he has served as the chief producer at Newmeg, Armenia’s leading publishing house, which is the only one that organizes multitalented-person books and art festivals. Through his work, Edgar Ayvazyan aims to foster cultural exchange, elevate the arts, and create lasting and meaningful experiences for audiences worldwide.
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Anna Seferian is a dynamic Armenian-born influencer, vlogger, and marketer who found her creative roots in Los Angeles. An alumna of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Anna’s commitment to her Armenian heritage is evident through her active involvement with the CSUN Armenian Student Association (ASA) and her previous role as an executive member of the Glendale Community College ASA. She has extensive experience in social media marketing as well as selecting films for festival screenings and organizing events within Armenian cultural groups.
Anna’s diverse talents extend beyond academics; she has contributed her expertise to Armenian music videos, movies, and television shows. Her impressive portfolio also includes work on popular programs such as “The Doctors,” “The Talk,” and “Ridiculousness.” Anna Seferian’s journey embodies a seamless blend of cultural pride, academic achievement, and passion for the entertainment industry.
HEAD PROGRAMMER
Cammie Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by day, artist by night, and film lover all the time! She is currently working on a drawing and street photography project titled Public Transportation to Fancy Restaurants, having captured over 50 restaurants so far.
Follow her work on Instagram at #MagneticARTbycammiejones or visit her website at cammiejones.com.
PROGRAMMER
Masis Markar is an Armenian-American filmmaker, writer, and film restoration professional. He has applied his 20 years of expertise to restore such classics as “How Green Was My Valley,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” and “All That Jazz.” He has restored historical newsreels as well as the personal family archives of past US presidents, royalty, international politicians, and silver screen stars. He is one of the few people in the world trained in the fabric dye tint technique used during the silent era. Masis continues to write and work on his own projects. In his free time, he enjoys visiting museums and the zoo with his wife and sons.
PROGRAMMER
Verkin Arsen, after a long career in health care administration, is bringing her passion for art, literature, and cinema to life as a film programmer at ARPA. An avid attendee of almost every ARPA film festival, she is inspired by the incredible talent and artistry of filmmakers. In her spare time, Verkin enjoys cooking, experimenting with different flavors and techniques, oil painting, as well as cultivating her lifelong love of learning by reading. Her association with ARPA springs from her belief that a commitment to community organizations can make a positive impact in the world.
COORDINATOR
Carina Julia Goschin is an admirer of the motion picture industry, living in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. She admired film historian Robert Osborne, who took audiences behind the scenes of iconic cinematic films, and she wanted to venture into a career in film archives. Fascinated by all aspects of the cinematic universe, she continued her studies, learning all she could about the history of cinema to help jump-start her journey. She graduated from the Art Institute of California – North Hollywood with a Bachelor of Science in Media Arts and Animation, and she is currently obtaining her Master’s in Library and Information Sciences at San Jose State University to work in film archives in the research and preservation department. Between her studies, she works at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum and Research Center as a curator’s assistant in their archive collections.
FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Don Q. Hannah is Vice President, Creative Services at Film Solutions LLC, and founder/principal artist at Parallusion Media Group. Don is a member of the executive committee for AFFMA since 2004 and serves as the official photographer for the Arpa International Film Festival.
Festival Advisor
Maria Elena Infantino is an International Singer and Actress. She graduated in acting in London at ALRA (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) in 2010. Her debut was at the Royal Albert hall, singing for the 50th Beatles Anniversary, starring Dame Shirley Bassey. .That same year she was nominated for the 21st annual L.A. Music Awards as best International artist. Subsequently she created her one woman show on legendary Edith Piaf, which premiered in Los Angeles at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre, at the Lee Strasberg Institute, and subsequently at the Grammy Museum. Among the many successes that this show generated for Ms Infantino, was the inauguration on June 12th of the Piaf and Miles Davis USPS forever stamp, at the Rubin Museum in New York. She has been associate producer and actress in various independent films such as “The Admired” starring Jacqueline Murphy, and “Job’s daughter” with Corey Feldman, Eric Roberts and Doris Roberts, “The secret of joy” , ITV Yorkshire UKseries “Emmerdale” and more. Maria Elena is also on the board of charitable causes such as Caterina’s club founded by CNN hero chef Bruno Serato which feeds 5.000 unprivileged kids a day and Ranch hands rescue in Texas, which provides therapy for abused children and animals.
Festival Advisor (Armenia Liaison)
Manvel Saribekyan, film producer Republic of Armenia. Founding Director of “Man Pictures” Studio. He is the author and producer of “The Map of Gratitude” and several other film projects produced by Man Pictures Studio. Author of the film idea and Producer of “The Fate and the Art”, “The Map of Salvation” produced by Man Pictures Studio.