20 Jun “14.5 Km Away From Our Dreams” wins IEFTA €2,000 Cash Prize at Close Up Pitching Forum 2025
Head of Development Lianne Llewellyn attended this year’s Close Up Pitching Forum in Athens and awarded a cash prize of €2,000 development grant in partnership with the IEFT Fund, to the project 14.5 Km Away From Our Dreams (Armenia), directed by Lilit Mkhitaryan, and produced by Ruzanna Ghazaryan.
14.5 Km Away From Our Dreams
Synopsis
Artur, his two school friends, their retired history teacher Kima, and the senior taxi driver Zaven all live in the Armenian-Turkish border village of Margara, a mere 14.5 kilometers from the Mount Ararat, a powerful symbol of Armenian identity, has belonged to Turkey since Lenin’s era. Artur and his friends share a common dream: to climb Mount Ararat, an aspiration that ties them to their heritage and history. Meanwhile, Kima, Zaven, and Artur remain caught in the uneasy anticipation of the decades-long closed border’s potential opening. They wonder how such a momentous change will impact their lives, their futures, and their connection to the land that once seemed so far beyond reach. Ali documents their spiritual quest with his camera, hoping to bring solace to his distraught mother and find healing for himself. This Film is a deeply personal journey that underlines the force of resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of belief, showing that even in the darkest of times, hope and healing are possible.
Lilit Mkhitaryan
DIRECTOR
Lilit Mkhitaryan has 6 years of experience as a director of short documentaries and her work includes awarded Won Trough Living (Best documentary, Pomegranate International Film Festival) and video-reportage and shorts for Associated Press, VOA, SRF, ORF, NOS and Kika. She has furthermore made commercials for UNICEF Armenia and EU Armenia. Lilit has been selected for EurasiaDoc, CineDoc, Vilnius Meeting Point Talent’s Lab, EurasiaDoc Co-pro market, GAIFF Pro industry platform and Close Up. She received IETFA Award within the frame of Close Up Pitching forum. She holds a master degree in Art and Culture.
Ruzanna Ghazaryan
PRODUCER
Ruzanna Ghazaryan is a producer with years of experience collaborating with various Armenian television companies, she has authored and hosted the program Armenian Trace, through which she explored Armenian communities in Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Jordan, Poland, the United Kingdom, and beyond. As part of the 90th anniversary of Academician Paris Herouni, she directed the biographical film Herouni, dedicated to the renowned scientist. Currently, Ruzanna is working on three documentary films.