Short animation documentary film project

about our shared recent past, our Yerevan, and the people who made and continue to make it such a unique place. It is a tribute to a generation that survived the upheavals of the era and preserved purity, kindness, and a creative outlook on the world around them. We would be delighted to find donors for whom this is just as important as it is for us, so that together, we can create

About the film

Late 1980s. As the Soviet country bids farewell to its stagnant and conservative past, it enters an era of change. Young nonconformists in Yerevan find a unique place of freedom in Araik Misakyan's photo studio, a.k.a.

where they could be photographed in the style of their favorite rock stars, order the photo portraits of idols, record music, and even hold concerts. But most importantly, it was a place to meet kindred spirits.

Honoring the Resilient Generation of the 90's

It is both an artistic creation and a documented testimony of the time, as well as a tribute to Araik Misakyan. He brought together young people who did not want to march in line and be mere bricks in a gray wall. This is also a reference to the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period when Yerevan and the whole of Armenia went through complex historical processes that influenced the formation of our country and identity.

The main characters were dreamers in search of like-minded companions

Main characters of the film are the

of the "Araiknots" circle, such as:

radio/TV host Yegor Glumov,

architect Arsen Shur Karapetyan,

cybersecurity expert Samvel Martirosyan,

manager of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra Arman Padaryan, and others. For them, "Araiknots" was an important stage in their lives that shaped their culture and worldview. Araik himself is a mystical, almost guru-like figure. In the faceless and literally dark years, he was a conductor of light, which he ultimately found himself lacking.

Where and When

The story begins in the late 1980s and continues to the mid-1990s, guiding the characters and viewers through the most significant events in Armenia’s history during that period —

It was during this time that Araik Misakyan had to sell his famous studio and leave...

How will it Look

It will be a compilation of archival film and photo documents mixed with 2d animated scenes. Personal photographs from the archives of "Araiknots" graduates, taken at Ara Misakyan’s studio, will play a significant role in the visuals.

What is Animadoc?

Animadoc is a relatively new and rapidly growing subgenre in animation. As the word suggests, it is animated documentary cinema usually based on real events.

One of the most significant animadocs in recent years was the Armenian film about the 1915 Armenian Genocide, "Aurora’s Sunrise," based on the testimony of Aurora Mardiganian, who survived those events.

Budget and Financing

To realize our creative vision, we are expecting $25,000 from donors, with the rest of the funding to be secured through various grants.

You can learn more about the project's budget and fundraising details by following this LINK.

OUR TEAM

Director - Suren Tadevosyan 

One of Armenia's most in-demand cinematographers, Suren also has extensive experience in animation. This will be his debut as a director. As a child, Suren visited "Araiknots" several times for portraits of his idols.

Writer - Artavazd Yeghiazaryan

Journalist, writer, and editor-in-chief of *Yerevan* magazine (a.k.a. evnmag). Scriptwriter of animated films. He didn’t experience Misakyan’s studio firsthand but knows many of its alumni. 

Creativ Director – Olesya Tikhova

Co-founder and Creativ Director of the 2D and 3D animation studio Skyline, with extensive experience working on animation projects both in Armenia and abroad.

Editor – Sergey Kapkov

Chief editor of author projects at Soyuzmultfilm Studio. Scriptwriter and director of documentaries, honored cultural worker of the Russian Federation. Participated in creating author films and series for Russian and Armenian studios. Since 2023, he has been teaching the course "Screenwriting in Animation" at the "Invisible Friends" school in Yerevan. The "Graduates of Araiknots" project was born during this course.

Artist – Anna Akopyan

An artist and illustrator who has worked on many books and animation projects. She remembers Araik Misakyan’s studio, those years, and those people well.

Producer – Gurgen Paronyan

Leader and co-founder of the 2D and 3D animation studio Skyline, with over 15 years of experience in Armenia and abroad.

Thank you for your time!

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