The list is getting longer! Elegy will screen in Hypefest, July 29-31 in Hollywood, CA. It’s also made it into the Woods Hole Film Festival in Cape Cod, MA, screening from July 30 - August 6.

Delays, delays. I have been away for a while, and just returned from a two week stay in Istanbul, Turkey. An extraordinary visit to the city where my family is from. I can say that I have an understanding as to how my family came to be the way they are. And why, in the end, they chose to leave and start fresh in America.

Istanbul is truly beautiful. I liken it to a massive San Francisco, with what some might call an exotic twist. I was surprised to find that I did not feel like a foreigner there. I’ve grown up saturated with elements of this culture — the language although I don’t speak it, the music, the food, the way people are. Armenians (Bolseh Hyes) living in this city are plentiful, and I found myself back home, in a sense. Loose edges in my minds were mended, and my identity makes more sense to me.

There is so much to talk about and share. But I’ll whet your appetite with a picture of the inside of the Hagia Sophia. (Pronounce it “Aya Sophia” please.) The Turks are realizing what a incredible historical treasure this old Greek Orthodox Cathedral-turned-mosque is, and they are now attemping to slowly restore the magnificent mosaics that they carelessly plastered over so long ago.

Am I allowed to gloat? I got to see the final installment of Lucas’ Star Wars prequel trilogy at Pixar today. And it’s not even out on theatrical release yet! Mmm, digital projection and unbelievable sound… Don’t worry no spoilers here. I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out, given the results of the previous two films. My only gripe is some rather sappy dialogue, wooden acting, and a few continuity slip-ups. The effects, of course, are stunning. Not a perfect film by any means, but great fun to watch. And may I say that I’m so happy the Wookies make screentime? Chewie was always my favorite!

I was notified yesterday that Elegy was a finalist in the prestigious USA Film Festival in Dallas, TX. This particular festival is an Academy Award qualifier, so it’s rather exciting to have even gotten to finalist level!

Elegy will be showing in the following festivals — the Moondance International Film Festival in Boulder, CO. And the Jackson Hole Film Festival in Jackson, WY. All in all, very exciting. The weekend of May 12, Elegy will be screening at three different festivals at the same time! The Kalamazoo Animation Festival, Antelope Valley Independent Film Festival, and Moondance International Film Festival.

The 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is approaching. On April 24th, 1915, the Ottoman Turks began their plan of systematic extermination of the Armenian people. 1.5 million Armenians were murdered, or sent on death marches. The atrocites that took place cannot even be described here. To this day, the Turkish government denies the Young Turk Party of the Ottoman Empire ever perpetrated the first genocide of the 20th century.

The US government at the time acknowledged the atrocities that were taking place. However, they have since backtracked and refuse to use the term Genocide to describe what took place. Reams and reams of international historical texts show eyewitness accounts and government documents which prove the horrors that took place were in fact Genocide. Yet foreign relations and strategic military bases take precedence over serious human rights issues.

At this time, France is the only country which has formally recognized the Armenian Genocide. Other European countries are calling for Turkey to admit the Armenian Genocide took place, before it can be considered for admission into the European Union. Turkey, in response, is stepping up its denial to even more astronomical levels.

Please take a moment to view iWitness, a short flash presentation of those who survived the Armenian Genocide. Links to stand alone versions for Mac and PC are also available on the site.

Elegy has won Best Animation at the San Francisco Women’s Film Festival. I had to miss the event, but it’s fantastic that so many people are seeing something special in this piece!

Elegy will be showing at the Kalamazoo Animation Festival in Kalamazoo, MI, and the Antelope Valley Independent Film Festival just outside of Los Angeles. Both festivals are on the same weekend in May, the 13-15. Heather Blackmore, the short film coordinator for the Antelope Valley festival caught the screening of Elegy at South by Southwest in Austin, and invited me to screen at her festival. Very cool! Ever since Elegy received the Special Jury Award from SXSW, I’ve been getting invites to submit to several festivals, including Montreal and one in Paris.

Elegy has won Best Animation over at the Zoie Film Festival! You can check out the films online.

An interview with storyteller extraordinaire, Brad Bird….