Sev Ohanian sees promise in Armenian cinema

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian-American film producer and screenwriter Sev Ohanian, an honorary guest of the 22nd Golden Apricot International Film Festival, said he had always dreamed of seeing his films included in the festival's program. He made the remarks during a question-and-answer session titled "From Auteur Cinema to Hollywood" at the Youth Experimental Theatre of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography.

Ohanian also said he believes Armenian cinema has tremendous potential.

"I always use my friend Gor Kirakosian as an example. He makes very good and very funny films. Even in the United States, we often talk about Armenian film production. We even joke about it—I always try to guess the budget of his films, and I invariably estimate a much higher figure. Then he shows me the real budget, and once again I realize how talented people here are. They can produce excellent work with very modest resources. I think the most important thing is to keep working and continue developing," he said.

Ohanian added that he was delighted to receive an invitation from the Golden Apricot festival this year.

"The program is put together beautifully, with films from different genres and many interesting titles. I really liked this year's selection. If someone had told me ten years ago that one day my film would be screened here, I would have found it very hard to believe," he said.

Ohanian also spoke about his connection to Armenia.

"Every time I get on a plane and come to Armenia, I become very emotional. When the plane lands, I always applaud. The last time we landed, it was around one in the morning, and I think I was the only one clapping, but for me it means I've come home. And when I leave, I'm always sad. I can't wait until I can come back again," he said.

He also discussed his professional career, his experience working in Hollywood, the specifics of film production and the principles he considers essential for achieving success.

Armenian-American producer Sev Ohanian has established himself as a prominent figure in Hollywood, contributing to some of the industry's most successful and widely discussed film projects in recent years. In 2025, he received an Academy Award nomination for "Sinners." Since 2010, Ohanian has produced or co-produced around 20 films, many of which have either achieved major commercial success or earned prestigious American film awards and nominations. His best-known projects include Aneesh Chaganty's "Searching" (2018), which grossed nearly $75 million worldwide on an $880,000 budget, Shaka King's "Judas and the Black Messiah" (2021), which received five Academy Award nominations, and "Sinners" (2025), directed by his longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler.