Centennial Milestone 
The American Legion Post 43

We are thrilled to host the 22nd Annual Arpa International Film Festival at this beautiful and historic space in the heart of Hollywood! As we celebrate our 22nd year as a festival, the American Legion will have its
Centennial Anniversary.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual contributions.Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

⚜️ SAND & FIRE (THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM!)
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FEATURE-FILM | 115 min (Morocco, Italy, 2019)
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Nominated for: Arpa IFF BEST FEATURE FILM // BEST DIRECTOR // BEST SCREENPLAY 
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Director: Souheil Ben-Barka
Writers: Souheil Ben-Barka, Monica Giansanti, Bernard Stora
Producers: Souheil Ben-Barka, Marco Gaudenzi
Cast: Giancarlo Giannini, Rodolfo Sancho, Marisa Paredes
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Synopsis: SAND AND FIRE is an epic tale of adventure based on a true story set it in the early 1800s. Spanish army officer, Domingo Badia, is sent to Morocco as an explorer with a mission. 
The film follows Domingo through sumptuously decorated palaces in Spain, France, England and Morocco, including the burning sands of Arabia and the ancient ruins of Palmyra. As his journey unfolds, the film’s true protagonists are revealed in exploring themes such as heroics, ambition, love, war, and tragedy. 

Recipient of the Armin T. Wagner Award

"THE STATELESS DIPLOMAT"

We are pleased to announce the 22nd Annual Arpa International Film Festival Armin T. Wagner Humanitarian Award winner is THE STATELESS DIPLOMAT by Mimi Malayan and Arthur Muradyan.
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The film is a mixed-media documentary based on Diana Agabeg Apcar, a 19th century Armenian writer living in Japan, who became the de facto ambassador of a lost nation. ————————————————————————
She worked on behalf of Armenia and genocide survivors for years. She committed her passion and idealism to their cause, by writing books and articles, appealing to peace societies, academics, missionaries, and politicians.
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Armin Theophil Wegner was an intellectual, doctor in law, photographer, writer, poet, civil rights defender and eyewitness to the Armenian Genocide.
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In 2003 the Armin T. Wegner Award was created by the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art in Hollywood, as a humanitarian honor, awarded to a motion picture that contributes to the fight for social conscience and human rights; a struggle to which Armin T. Wegner devoted his life.

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