The Golden Apricot International Film Festival officially opened with the Armenian-French co-production “In the Land of Arto”, a drama directed by Tamara Stepanyan. The film premiered as the opening title of the prestigious Locarno Film Festival in August 2025. It has since been screened at festivals across several continents before finally being presented to audiences in its homeland—Arto's land.

The festival is held with the support of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport as a budget program for the film industry. The main sponsor is the Yerevan Municipality.

The festival was launched with Chora Gavit: A Score for Moving Bodies, a site-specific musical installation and performance that transformed the festival entrance into an immersive artistic experience. The project was presented in collaboration with the “hosq” Foundation.

 Among the attendees of the opening ceremony were Deputy Ministers Tigran Virabyan and Alfred Kocharyan, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Levon Hovhannisyan, ambassadors, distinguished guests, filmmakers, and art enthusiasts.

As part of the event, Founding President of the Golden Apricot International Film Festival Harutyun Khachatryan presented the Golden Apricot Master Award to Austrian film director and President of the International Jury, Jessica Hausne. This year's Parajanov's Thaler Award was presented to celebrated French cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel.

This year's festival program features 90 films from 40 countries. Screenings will take place at the Cinema House as well as the Moscow and Nairi cinemas and will continue through 19 July.

The festival program is available at https://gaiff.am/en.