Filmmaker and producer Stephanie Ayanian to discuss her film ‘What Will Become of Us’

The Armenian Studies Program, CineCulture, and the Center for Creativity and the Arts presents a discussion with filmmaker and producer Stephanie Ayanian on her film “What Will Become of Us” at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, on Zoom. Participants are encouraged to watch the film online using the password “wwboufresno” from Oct. 2 – 9 ahead of the discussion.

105 years ago, Armenians were nearly annihilated by Genocide. Today, often unrecognized, it remains defining – but the long shadow of the Genocide creates a burden for young Armenian Americans that discourages them from taking up their culture. “What Will Become of Us” follows six Armenian Americans – famous and otherwise – as they navigate the Armenian Genocide’s 100th anniversary, forging identities for the next 100 years. How can Armenian Americans honor their past while unshackling themselves from its trauma?

Stephanie Ayanian is a producer, project manager and educator who holds an MFA in Film and Media Arts from Temple University. She co-owns “storyshop,” an independent production house for creative media. Her film “Kinderwald” screened on the closing night of the Slamdance Film Festival in 2014 and was an Official Selection of the Munich International, Seattle International, and Napa Valley film festivals. Previously, Ayanian worked as a senior producer/director for Penn State Public Broadcasting. 

For more information on the event, contact the Armenian Studies office at 559.278.2669.