"Fact" daily newspaperwrites:
The development of the film industry on a global scale has long exceeded the boundaries of the purely cultural or artistic sphere, becoming one of the most important factors in the modern world's economy, public diplomacy, education, innovation and strengthening of national identity.
Cinema, as an art form, a powerful means of content distribution, and a separate economic sub-sector, has changed the thinking and worldview of millions of people over time. The global experience of film production shows that countries that have been able to take a strategic approach to the development of this sector have not only created competitive film production and cultural exports, but also provided new opportunities for economic growth, tourism, education, creative industries and even strengthening state authority.
In this context, the problems, challenges and perspectives of the development of the Armenian cinema sector acquire not only cultural, but also strategic, national and economic resonance. Armenia, which has rich cinematographic traditions and recognizable names in the history of world cinema, has faced complex problems in the field of film production since the years of independence.
During the Soviet years, Armenian cinema managed to create such a cinematographic legacy, which is continuously appreciated both locally and internationally, becoming a symbol of national identity, historical memory and creativity. However, during the years of independence, under conditions of economic and financial hardship, instability of state policy and institutional weakness of the sector, film production in Armenia was in a serious crisis. It is expressed by a sharp decrease in the volume of production of motion pictures, a drop in quality, lack of financing, obsolescence of technical equipment, weakening of the educational system and human resources, as well as the lack of a clear strategy to enter international markets.
The importance of the development of the film industry is expressed in a number of interconnected levels. First of all, cinema is a unique way of presenting and preserving national identity, history and culture. For Armenia, which has a complex historical and political past, a multi-layered identity and communities around the world, film production can become the most effective platform for the modern transmission of national ideas, values and history. However, our film production still does not get out of the swamp of domestic level serials, where criminal morals and hate-based stories dominate, which have a psychologically negative impact on society, and on the other hand, primitive people's way of thinking. And the bearer of that negative influence is mainly the young generation, among whom the manners and vulgarity shown in the TV series take root very quickly. On the other hand, cinema can present the historical experience of Armenia, the turning events that took place in the course of Armenian history, the memory of the Genocide, the themes of independence and freedom struggles, modern social and cultural issues, the stories of immigration and emigration, becoming at the same time a powerful tool for the reinterpretation of national identity and a dialogue with the world audience.
Cinema can also promote ideas of reconciliation and solidarity by presenting pluralism, humanity, tolerance and justice.
On the other hand, the development of the film industry can provide new economic opportunities, create jobs, promote the development of small and medium businesses, contribute to innovation and technological progress. Filmmaking encompasses many subfields: scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, sound, visual effects, costumes, set design, photography, lighting, marketing, distribution, and more. This entire chain can become a driving force of economic development if the necessary investments, government incentives, private sector involvement and international cooperation are provided.
In addition, the development of film production can promote film tourism, foreign investments, joint productions, as well as contribute to the export of Armenian goods and services, the formation of a positive image of the country.
Lack of funding is one of the main obstacles to the development of Armenia's film industry. Despite the existence of certain government programs, the sector still depends on unsustainable, often one-off financial flows that do not provide long-term planning and quality products. Insufficient funding leads to the fact that many talented directors, screenwriters, cameramen and actors are forced to emigrate or temporarily cooperate with film companies of other countries, which means a loss of human capital and a "brain drain" for Armenia.
Armenia also faces a number of challenges in terms of film industry management and politics. The sector lacks a unified, coordinated strategy that would include education, production, distribution, international cooperation and market development.
The lack of clarification of the distribution of responsibilities and functions between state bodies, the transparency problems of the film screening and funding competition system, the severing of ties with international festivals and markets, as well as the lack of institutional continuity create conditions when successful projects become only unique cases.
The technical basis of film production in Armenia is largely outdated. The rapid development of technologies requires modern equipment, highly qualified specialists, innovative approaches and a modern production culture. In many cases, film projects have to use foreign technical resources, which increases production costs, complicates organizational work and limits the development opportunities of local specialists.
In addition, film academy education in Armenia still does not meet global standards, which complicates the discovery, education and retention of young talent in the field.
One of the problems related to film production is the smallness of the local market. The number of cinemas in Armenia is limited, the lack of multiplexes and modern movie theaters hinders large-scale distribution and consumption of local film productions. In addition, the low level of purchasing power of the public often limits the possibility of going to the cinema, which reduces the income of film producers and the incentives for further investment.
This situation also complicates the issue of entering international markets, as film production costs are often not justified by local revenues, and export opportunities and success at foreign festivals are still unstable and episodic in nature.
Ensuring the international competitiveness of Armenian film projects is also a big problem. In the conditions of globalization, the film market has become extremely competitive, where not only the quality is crucial, but also the marketing strategy of the production, the festival policy, international relations, the involvement of foreign specialists and the organization of joint productions.
Armenian filmmakers and directors often do not have enough resources and experience to meet the demands of the international market and to overcome linguistic, cultural and technical barriers. As a result, Armenian cinema often remains in local circles, not using the attention of the international community, opportunities of world festivals and co-financing tools.
For the development of the film industry, it is also necessary to introduce new models of public and private sector cooperation. The state can create tax benefits, co-financing programs, educational and technical incubators, which will promote the involvement of private investments in the sector. At the same time, the private sector must actively participate in the production, distribution and marketing processes, providing innovation, a competitive approach and content tailored to market demand. This cooperation can also facilitate the implementation of joint productions, involving the resources of Diaspora and foreign filmmakers.
The role of cinema in the educational and socio-cultural life of modern society is also worthy of attention. Cinema can serve as a powerful tool for public education, value formation, historical memory, national identity and civic consciousness. In Armenia, it is necessary to form a network of film schools, film educational programs, film clubs, youth competitions and seminars, which will contribute to the development of creativity of the new generation, increasing interest in film art and strengthening the human capital of the sector. This process can also ensure the involvement of broad sections of society in film production, forming a complete ecosystem of the creative industry.
The development of the Armenian film industry is also hindered by the insufficiency of copyright protection, the weakness of "anti-piracy" mechanisms, legal uncertainties, which often restrain the initiative of creators and the confidence of investors.
The film industry also needs to modernize legislation, implement systems in line with international standards, ensure legal protection of film tapes, scripts and other intellectual products, as well as encourage innovation and creativity.
Finally, it is important to emphasize that the development of the film industry in Armenia can become a powerful tool not only for cultural revival, but also for strengthening economic, social and national security.
ARTHUR KARAPETIAN
