Armenfilm
| Company type | Film production company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Predecessor | Goskino (1923), Armenkino (1928), Yerevan Film Studio (1938) |
| Founded | 16 April 1923 |
| Fate | Privatized in 2005, re-nationalized in 2015 |
| Headquarters | Yerevan , Armenia |
| Products | Films, animation |
| Owner | Government of Armenia (since 2015) |
Armenfilm (; ), also referred to as Hayfilm (), is a film production company located in Yerevan, Armenia. Established on 16 April 1923 as part of the Soviet State Cinema Organization, its inaugural director was Daniel Dznuni.
In 2005, the studio underwent privatization and was rebranded as CS Film Studios. New proprietors from the Armenian diaspora pledged an investment of $66 million over a decade to upgrade technology and generate fresh content. Despite this commitment, the company did not fulfill the agreed terms, prompting the Government of Armenia to retake control of the studio in 2015.
History
- 1923 – Founded as "Goskino" under the Armenian People's Commissariat of Education.
- 1928 – Name changed to "Armenkino".
- 1938 – Renamed "Yerevan Film Studio".
- 1957 – Adopted the name "Armenfilm".
- 1959 – Newsreel and television divisions separated into Yerevan Studio of Documentary Films.
- 1966 – Studio named after its founder Hamo Beknazarian.
- 2005 – Acquired by "Armenia Studios" (CS MEDIA CITY holding), owned by diaspora families Cafesjian and Sarkisian, with a $66 million modernization commitment.
- 2015 – Armenian government repossessed the studio due to unmet investment conditions.
Foundation and Development
Following Armenia's incorporation into the Soviet Union in 1922, Armenfilm was established and experienced gradual growth until World War II caused a slowdown in production. The late 1950s marked a period of recovery and expansion, with annual output reaching six to seven feature films by the 1980s. This expansion was supported by contracts from USSR Central Television and collaborations with Mosfilm, which was Europe’s largest film studio at that time.
Film Production
During the 1960s, "Hayfilm" gained prominence by restoring and duplicating Armenian silent films such as Namus (1925), Zareh (1926), Shor and Shorshor (1927), and Has-Push (1928), all directed by Hamo Bek-Nazarian. By the end of the 20th century, the studio was replicating approximately 42–45 films annually. Animation production commenced in 1967 and continues to operate today. In 1978, the studio moved to a modern facility equipped with advanced filmmaking technology, maintaining an output of six to seven films per year. During this era, "Hayfilm" secured significant contracts with USSR Central Television and partnered with Mosfilm, achieving notable success throughout the 1980s. The "Hayk" Documentary Film Studio was created in 1990 after splitting off from "Hayfilm’s" documentary creative association and archive.
Women’s Role
The animation sector within Armenfilm was largely composed of female artists who influenced its artistic environment over a decade and left a lasting impact on subsequent generations. Among them, Lyudmila Sahakyants is renowned for producing Congregation of Mice (1978), an animated work noted for its political and social satire that remains relevant today.
Armenian Cinema After Independence
The Armenian film industry encountered significant hardships during the 1990s due to electricity shortages, economic blockades, the Spitak earthquake, and the Artsakh Liberation War. These crises resulted in cinema closures, emigration of filmmakers, and a decline in domestic film production. Over time, government-controlled film projects transitioned towards privatization, attracting initial investments from the Diaspora that contributed to revitalizing Armenian cinema.
Filmography of Armenfilm
- Zareh (1926) – Helmed by Hamo Bek-Nazarian
- Shor i Shorshor (1927) – Directed by Hamo Bek-Nazarian
- Has-Push (1928) – Under the direction of Hamo Bek-Nazarian
- Pepo (1936) – A film by Hamo Bek-Nazarian
- Hello, It’s Me (1966) – Directed by Frunze Dovlatyan
- The Mulberry Tree (1979) – Directed by Gennadi Melkonian
- Tango of Our Childhood (1985) – Directed by Albert Mkrtchyan