Orange County, CA- The Armenian National Committee of America-Orange County will be hosting an Armenian Genocide Commemoration event featuring a screening of “Bolis” by Award winning Director Eric Nazarian. The event will be held on April 22, 2012, 4:00p.m. in the Gugasian Hall at Forty Martyr’s Armenian Church, 5315 W. McFadden Ave, Santa Ana.

“We are looking forward to this year’s commemoration as a unified community effort in memorializing the past and understanding that it is still present within each of us as individuals and all of us as a community as we move forward together to honor the memory of those who perished by continuing the fight for justice. We encourage everyone to attend this special screening of “Bolis” and also see what the youth have to say about this special day in Armenian history,” stated ANCA Orange County Chapter Chairman, Sebouh Meguerditchian.

The evening’s program will feature a screening of “Bolis,” an award winning short film by renowned director, Eric Nazarian, who will also be the keynote speaker for the commemoration. In addition, there will be short presentations by the Orange County Chapters of AYF, ACYO, and ACF Badanegan.

“Bolis” is a film that tells the story of a successful oud player’s journey to Istanbul for the first time. Armenak, the musician, eventually searches for his grandfather’s old musical instrument shop in an attempt to discover his past in relation to his present self. “Bolis” was filmed on location in modern day Turkey.

Eric Nazarian was born in Armenia and raised in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television. “The Blue Hour,” his first film as writer-director, discusses the lives of the working-class living near the Los Angeles River. The film was nominated for both the Altadis-New Director’s Award internationally and the Best Director Award for the 10th AFFMA International Film Festival held in the U.S.

“It is important that we have the support and participation of the entire community as we show a united front in recognizing the tragic events of 1915 and at the same time reaffirming our commitment as a community to continue working with the ANCA for Hai Tad,” stated Talar Malakian, ANCA-OC Executive Director.

Participating organizations include Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO) Orange County chapter, Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School, ARF Badanegan Aghpuir Serop chapter, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Armen Karo Gomideh, Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Karni and Sevan Chapters, Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Ashod Yergat chapter, Forty Martyrs Armenian Church, Hamazkayin Siamanto chapter, Homenetmen Sartarabad chapter, Orange County Armenian Professional Society (OCAPS), Paros Lighthouse Armenian Foundation, St. Mary Armenian Church, and the University of California-Irvine Armenian Students’ Association (UCI-ASA)

Special Message: On May 20, the 2012 ANCA Telethon will bring thousands of people together from coast to coast in support of the educational, charitable, and civic involvement programs of the ANCA Endowment Fund. Be a part of the excitement! To learn more, visit www.ancatelethon.org.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Orange County defends the rights, advances the interests, and promotes the well-being of the city’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

Visit the ANCA- Orange County Facebook page for more information. https://www.facebook.com/ancorangecounty

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