Golden Apricot International Film Festival

The Golden Apricot International Film Festival has been running annually in Yerevan since 2004 and is the country’s most significant film event. The name references both the fruit synonymous with Armenia and the warmth of the summer season in which the festival takes place. Over eight days each July, the programme spans feature films, documentaries, and short films from Armenia and the wider Caucasus, Middle East, and Central Asian regions, alongside broader art house and world cinema selections.

Screenings take place at several city-centre venues, including the Moscow Cinema on Mashtots Avenue, which has been associated with the festival since its founding. The event includes competitive sections — with jury prizes awarded across categories — as well as retrospective screenings, tributes to individual directors, and panel discussions. A portion of the programme is typically reserved for films in the Armenian diaspora context, reflecting the festival’s interest in Armenian culture beyond the republic’s borders.

For visitors

The festival is a genuine film industry event rather than a tourist-oriented gathering. Passes and individual screening tickets are available to the public, and the programme is announced with reasonable advance notice via the official festival website. Prices for individual screenings are typically low by international standards. Evening screenings tend to sell out faster, particularly for opening and closing night galas — booking ahead for those is advisable.

The timing in mid-July coincides with peak summer in Yerevan. Temperatures regularly reach 35-38°C during the day, making air-conditioned cinema screenings a welcome part of any afternoon itinerary. Most venues are clustered in the central districts, walkable from the main hotels around Republic Square and Northern Avenue. Check the official programme in advance to plan your screenings alongside wider sightseeing in the capital.

The festival also functions as a gathering point for the Armenian film community and diaspora visitors. Side events — receptions, Q&As with directors, and informal gatherings around the screening venues — give the week a social dimension beyond the films themselves. If you are visiting Yerevan in mid-July with any interest in cinema, it is worth aligning your trip with the festival schedule even if you only attend a couple of screenings.