Vahagn Khachatryan is a film director and producer from Armenia. He co-founded Oolik Productions, based in Yerevan. He is a member of the Union of Film Professionals of Armenia and the European Film Academy. Vahagn has produced and directed films in China, Portugal, Hungary, Belgium, and Armenia. His latest film, 5 Dreamers and a Horse [+lire aussi :
critique
interview : Vahagn Khachatryan et Aren…
fiche film], has been showcased at over 50 international film festivals, receiving a nomination for the Doc Alliance Award and winning several prizes. An interview with him, now selected for the 2025 Emerging Producers programme (read his EP profile here).

Why do you produce documentaries? Do you see documentary cinema as an instrument of social and political change?
Vahagn Khachatryan: Growing up in a country at the crossroads of major geopolitical powers, I’ve witnessed how many stories remain untold and overlooked by international media. As a filmmaker and producer, cinema offers me the opportunity to reflect on these stories, present them, and sometimes transform them into something entirely new.

I believe cinema has the remarkable ability to raise important questions and evoke powerful emotions. It challenges audiences, pushing them out of their comfort zones, and speaks to the soul, prompting reflection and connection. For me, it’s also a tool for communication—whether with loved ones or strangers—allowing me to share and explore stories and places that might otherwise remain unknown.

I am interested in exploring themes such as the diverse layers of the human experience, the influences shaping them, and how human actions affect the environment. While I wouldn’t claim to have a particular talent in music, theater, literature, or architecture, I’ve always been drawn to these art forms. Through cinema, I aim to bring them together and create something new for myself.

My recent film 5 Dreamers and a Horse (with Aren Malakyan and Federico Delpero Bejar) tells the story of dreamers and how their dreams evolved during the Velvet Revolution, one of the biggest political events in Armenia since 1992. To explore the topic in depth, we chose characters from three different generations and social groups in Armenia. Through their individual stories, we dive into the various layers of society, crafting a portrait of a country. The film has been screened at over 50 international film festivals.

How do you achieve and maintain work-life balance and foster overall well-being?
Work-life balance is a challenge that every producer/filmmaker faces at some point in their career, and it’s an important topic that deserves more attention. I believe we should discuss it more openly in film schools and universities. Having studied both in Asia (Beijing Film Academy) and Europe (Docnomads), I don’t recall it being addressed or emphasized. Like many other aspects of the profession, it’s something people often learn to navigate on their own. For me, the best way to maintain balance is to spend time in nature, disconnected from technology for several days. When possible, I also make time for sports and meditation.

Where do you find audiences for your films?
In Armenia, non-commercial film distribution is virtually nonexistent. Local TV stations show little interest in purchasing or investing in independent cinema. As a result, many Armenian filmmakers primarily reach their audience through international film festivals, TV, and VOD platforms. Given the global competition, this makes it particularly challenging to connect with viewers. It also places you in a situation where making an average film can hinder your future projects.

What projects do you have underway (including fiction films and other projects)?
At Oolik Production, we are currently working on several projects at various stages of development. I’d like to highlight two in particular: Caged Bears, which is in early development, and Flying Cows, which is in production. Flying Cows is a complex project that explores forced migration through the story of a young calf named Zemfo. The film unfolds across four locations in the broader region: Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, Iran, and Iraqi Kurdistan. The film addresses a range of interconnected issues – wars and unresolved conflicts, the displacement of people and animals, climate change, and its impact on the residents of these regions. I am both producing and co-directing Flying Cows alongside Armenian filmmaker Aren Malakyan. The synopsis is "In an unrecognized country amid the chaos of war, a cow gives birth to a calf. As villagers pack their belongings and flee their homes, the calf is sold to cattle traders and embarks on a journey from Armenia to Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan, crossing ever-shifting borders and landscapes shaped by human conflict."

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EMERGING PRODUCERS is a leading promotional and educational project, which brings together talented European documentary film producers. The programme is organised and curated by the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival.

Deadline for applications to the EMERGING PRODUCERS 2026 edition is 31 March 2025.