Armenian Film Society presents Armenian Women in Film on Monday, March 23 at Vertigo, featuring Arsinée Khanjian, Christine Haroutounian, Madeline Sharafian, and Teni Melidonian, moderated by Sona Movsesian.

This signature event, now in its fourth year, is held every March in honor of International Women’s Month and brings together leading Armenian women in the film industry for an inspiring conversation. The panelists will reflect on their personal and professional journeys, sharing the successes, challenges, setbacks, and defining moments that shaped their careers.

Sponsored by PTD Business Management and Wonder Project.

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Program

6pm-7pm: VIP Cocktail Hour

7:30pm: Opening Remarks

7:45pm-9pm: Panel Discussion

Please note seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. VIP ticket holders will have access to the cocktail hour, which offers an opportunity to network with the speakers, along with access to a cash bar and tray-passed appetizers. General Admission ticket holders will have access to the panel discussion only, beginning at 7:30pm.

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Christine Haroutounian

Christine Haroutounian is a director, writer, and producer working between Armenia and the diaspora. Christine Haroutounian’s debut feature film, After Dreaming, premiered at the Berlinale in 2025, and has screened at Busan, Thessaloniki, and São Paulo. The film was co-produced by Brad Becker-Parton (Beach Rats, Never Rarely Sometimes Always) and Carlos Reygadas (Japón, Silent Light). Featured as a gem in The New York Times Critic’s Notebook, After Dreaming has been hailed as “the most transfixing, formally experimental first feature seen in an age” (BFI) and “a dreamlike film that floats on air, while keeping the sharp fall beneath it in constant view” (Variety).

Christine Haroutounian has also been named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Christine Haroutounian’s short film, World, premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and won the top award at the Golden Apricot International Film Festival in Yerevan. The film has been screened in cultural programs at Moving Arts Center Amsterdam, Gorki Theater, and Centres Wallonie-Bruxelles.

Christine Haroutounian is developing her sophomore feature film, Black Star Angel, which won the top prize at the Asian Project Market.

Madeline Sharafian

Madeline Sharafian is a two-time Academy Award nominee and an acclaimed director at Pixar Animation Studios. She first joined Pixar as a story intern in 2013, returning in 2015 as a storyboard artist on the Academy Award–winning feature film Coco. In 2020, she directed Pixar’s SparkShorts film Burrow, which premiered alongside the Academy Award-winning feature film Soul and earned her a nomination for Best Animated Short Film. Madeline Sharafian most recently directed Pixar’s feature film Elio alongside Domee Shi and Adrian Molina, becoming the first Armenian and only the third woman to direct a Pixar feature. Elio received a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. Prior to Pixar, she worked as a storyboard artist and writer at Cartoon Network on We Bare Bears, where she also created character designs for the pilot episode while studying at CalArts. In September 2025, she was honored at the Armenian Film Society Gala for her contributions to directing and her impact on contemporary animation.

Arsinée Khanjian

Arsinée Khanjian is an internationally acclaimed actress, best known for her enduring creative partnership with filmmaker Atom Egoyan. Born in Beirut to an Armenian family whose grandparents survived the Armenian Genocide, she was raised trilingual— speaking Armenian, Arabic, and French— before relocating to Montreal with her family at age 17 during the Lebanese Civil War.

Arsinée Khanjian has appeared in fourteen of Atom Egoyan’s films, becoming a defining presence in his cinematic body of work. She has also worked internationally with acclaimed directors including Olivier Assayas, Catherine Breillat, and Fatih Akin, and has performed extensively in theater across Canada, France, and Berlin.

In 2012, Khanjian served as a jury member for the Cinéfoundation and Short Films sections at the Cannes Film Festival. In the course of her distinguished career, she has received numerous prestigious honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots (2003), the Queen Zabel Medal (Armenian Apostolic Church in America), and the Order for “Services to the Motherland” from the Armenian government (2011).

Teni Melidonian

Teni Melidonian is the Chief Oscars Officer of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Teni Melidonian leads strategy, talent relations, special events and production teams for all awards programs and events. In this role, she oversees the teams responsible for developing and executing the Oscars for a global audience and serves as the Academy’s primary liaison to Disney/ABC, its broadcast distribution partner. She also spearheads Oscars ad sales, marketing, advertising, and cross-platform synergy strategies aimed at expanding worldwide viewership. Teni Melidonian began her career at the Academy in 2005 as a publicist, rising to head communications and publicity, where she oversaw brand strategy and marketing before transitioning to lead the Oscars Strategy team. Prior to joining the Academy, she worked in Washington, D.C., including at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.

Sona Movsesian

Sona Movsesian is a bestselling author and co-host of the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. In 2022, she released her book, The World’s Worst Assistant, a humorous how-to memoir about her years working alongside Conan O’Brien, which became a New York Times bestseller. Sona Movsesian’s follow-up book, The World’s Worst Mom, published by Penguin Random House, will be released on September 1, 2026. The book explores the often chaotic realities of motherhood through personal stories, illustrations, and candid advice delivered in her signature comedic voice.

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Parking

Valet parking is available at the venue for a fee. Limited street parking is also available.

Who is this event for?

This event is open to everyone, regardless of gender, industry experience, or background, and offers a unique opportunity to learn from and engage with inspiring leaders in the film industry. This is the ideal space to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable career insights, and hear firsthand stories from established professionals— whether you’re a filmmaker, aspiring creative, student, or simply a film lover.

How does my ticket purchase support the Armenian Film Society?

100% of ticket proceeds directly support the growth and expansion of Armenian Film Society’s programs, helping us cultivate a vibrant community for film lovers and filmmakers alike. Your support enables us to host dynamic events, welcome award-winning filmmakers, and create meaningful educational opportunities year-round.