[TORONTO, CANADA] The 18th edition of Hamazkayin ‘Klatsor’ Chapter’s Pomegranate Film Festival (POM) concluded on Sunday, November 16th, capping off a week filled with inspiring storytelling, global collaboration, and an impressive slate of Canadian and North American premieres. From November 10th to 16th, audiences experienced a vibrant mix of films that reflected the richness, complexity, and creativity of Armenian cinema.
This year’s Festival brought together filmmakers from Armenia, Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia, each adding their unique voice to the mosaic of stories presented at POM. Virtual screenings early in the week smoothly transitioned into in-person events at Toronto’s Hamazkayin Theatre, creating an atmosphere of connection, discovery, and community appreciation for the arts.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The week opened on November 10th with virtual programming, including the Canadian Premiere of A SUITCASE HOME, accompanied by Torontonian director Kamee Abrahamian’s SYMPTOM, which later received Honourable Mention for Best Short Documentary.
The momentum continued on Tuesday, November 11th with the North American Premiere of Hakob Melkonyan’s newest feature, paired with Tamara Ayrapetyan’s LOLA, awarded Honourable Mention in the Best Short Film category.
On Wednesday, audiences embraced PALMA 2 by Ruben Dishdishyan – his eighth film at POM – which went on to win Best Children’s Film for 2025.
Returning to the Hamazkayin Theatre on Thursday, festivalgoers enjoyed a night of comedy, including the Canadian Premiere of MASTER OF DESTINY by Grig Vahramyan, which captured the Best Comedy Award.
Friday showcased some of the Festival’s most acclaimed work, including THE MARCHING BAND, winner of Best Feature Film, and 9.1.6, which secured the Best Short Film Award. The emotional documentary MY SWEET LAND received the Dr. Michael J. Hagopian Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary, paired with Guatemala-based filmmaker Sarine Arslanyan’s short film DOON. Toronto local, Artur Andonian, the first of two winners of this year Rising Star – Pomegranate Aril Award, had his film LONG TIME NO SEE, screen alongside STEALING ANGEL.
Saturday offered surprises and high emotion as Academy Award nominee Atom Egoyan provided a special video introduction welcoming filmmaker Eric Nazarian back to Toronto for his Canadian Premiere of DIE LIKE A MAN. The film received both the Audience Choice Award for Feature Film and an Honourable Mention from the Festival Jury.
Later that evening, audiences experienced one of the Festival’s most unforgettable moments during the Canadian Premiere of A WINTER’S SONG by Angela Asatrian, this year’s recipient of the Golden POM Award, followed by a captivating live performance by the film’s star Krista Marina.
The final day spotlighted a powerful selection of short films, including the Canadian Premiere of THE CIRCUS LION by Tigran Tovmasyan, who earned the Festival’s second Rising Star – Pomegranate Aril Award. The day also featured the screening of THE ARMENIAN SPIRIT, which received the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary, and WHAT WILL BECOME OF US, which won Best Short Documentary.
2025 FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS
Best Feature Film
THE MARCHING BAND – Producer: Robert Guédiguian
Dr. Michael J. Hagopian Award – Best Feature-Length Documentary
MY SWEET LAND – Director: Sareen Hairabedian
Best Short Film
9.1.6 – Director: Hrachya Zakaryan
Best Short Documentary
WHATEVER DREAMS THEY HAD – Director: Stephanie Ayanian
Best Children’s Film
PALMA 2 – Director: Ruben Dishdishyan
Best Comedy
MASTER OF DESTINY – Director: Grig Vahramyan
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
SYMPTOM – Best Short Documentary
LOLA – Best Short Film
ONCE UPON A TIME AT SCHOOL – PART 2 – Best Children’s Film
MALL-NAPPED – Best Comedy
I SHALL REVENGE THIS WORLD WITH LOVE – S. PARAJANOV – Feature Documentary
DIE LIKE A MAN – Best Feature Film
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Feature Film
– DIE LIKE A MAN (Director: Eric Nazarian)
Documentary
– THE ARMENIAN SPIRIT (Director: Angela Asatrian)
RISING STAR – POMEGRANATE ARIL AWARD
Artur Andonian – LONG TIME NO SEE
Tigran Tovmasyan – THE CIRCUS LION
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
As we reflect on the incredible talent showcased this year, preparations have already begun for the 19th edition of the Pomegranate Film Festival, scheduled for November 9-15, 2026. Audiences can anticipate more international premieres, deeper engagement with emerging filmmakers, expanded student programming, and special tributes celebrating Armenia’s cinematic legacy.
We encourage filmmakers from around the world to begin preparing their submissions and invite our loyal community to save the dates as we continue building one of the most beloved Armenian film festivals in the diaspora.
With gratitude to our filmmakers, sponsors, volunteers, and community for supporting Armenian arts and culture,
– Pomegranate Film Festival Executive Committee (exec@pomegranatefilmfestival.com)