 |  |
 | |
The Movie Report wants to attend and cover all your film events and press junkets! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!
FILMMAKER RYAN COOGLER AND
ARMENIAN FILM SOCIETY TO HONOR
FILM PRODUCER SEV OHANIAN
AND INDUCT HIM INTO
ARMENIAN HALL OF FAME
AFS Gala to celebrate 10 years
of AFS’s important work on the evening of September 7
during third annual Armenian Film Festival
Special conversation with Proximity Media
founders Coogler and Ohanian at
Glendale’s historic Alex Theatre on September 7
GLENDALE, CA (Monday, August 4, 2025) – The Armenian Film Society (AFS) today announced special high-profile events that will be featured at the 2025 Armenian Film Festival, running September 3-7. On Sunday, September 7, AFS will honor veteran producer Sev Ohanian during the Armenian Film Society Gala at Vertigo Event Venue in Glendale. The honor will be presented by Ohanian’s longtime business partner and two-time Academy Award nominee Ryan Coogler.
On Sunday afternoon, September 7, prior to the Gala, the Armenian Film Festival will host a special conversation at Alex Theatre between director/writer/producer and two-time Academy Award nominee Ryan Coogler (Sinners, Black Panther, Creed, Fruitvale Station) and his longtime business partner producer/screenwriter Sev Ohanian (Searching, Run, Missing, Judas and the Black Messiah). Tickets and more information are available here.
Coogler and Ohanian will discuss their friendship and career trajectory from film school at the University of Southern California, their early breakout film, the production company Proximity Media that they launched along with Coogler’s wife Zinzi Coogler, and their mutual interest in supporting AFS’s work.
Ohanian is a prolific screenwriter and producer behind Searching, Missing, and Run — thrillers that earned critical and commercial success, including Hulu’s most-watched film and over $75 million at the global box office. He co-wrote and produced these films with his wife and producing partner, Natalie Qasabian. In 2018, he founded Proximity Media with Ryan and Zinzi Coogler to tell event-driven stories across film, TV, documentaries, and podcasts. The trio’s recent credits include executive producing Marvel’s Ironheart and the Nat Geo documentary Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time. Most recently, they produced the hit film Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, which grossed over $360 million worldwide and received widespread acclaim.
Ohanian’s first ever movie was the 2008 no-budget film he shot on his father’s home video camera titled My Big Fat Armenian Family. Based on his popular online short videos, the movie told the story of a cultural clash between Armenian immigrant parents and their Americanized teenage children, all unfolding over a weekend getaway to Palm Springs. Today, Ohanian continues to champion Armenian storytelling through a filmmaking scholarship fund he established with Natalie, in partnership with the Armenian Educational Foundation, supporting aspiring filmmakers in Armenia.
Proximity’s first film, Shaka King’s Judas and the Black Messiah, was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Daniel Kaluuya won the Oscar for “Best Supporting Actor” for his role as Chairman Fred Hampton and H.E.R won for “Best Original Song” for “Fight for You.” Proximity’s second film: Space Jam: A New Legacy, the 2021 sequel to the hit 1996 film, was released by Warner Bros. in theaters and on HBO Max. The film came in #1 at the U.S. box office, earning an estimated $32 million domestically during its opening weekend. Ohanian served as the primary on-the-ground producer on both of these films.
Coogler’s high-profile directing career launched with his feature-film debut Fruitvale Station, grossing a stunning $17 million globally for a project produced on less than $1 million. His subsequent films have been enormous box office smash hits including a massive haul of $1.3 billion worldwide for Black Panther, $800 million worldwide for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, $275 million worldwide for Creed III, and an incredible $360 million worldwide for his new Warner Bros. film Sinners, an original story written by Coogler.
“We are thrilled to mark 10 incredible years of Armenian Film Society, dedicated to elevating Armenian artists worldwide.” said Armen Karaoghlanian, Founder & CEO, Armenian Film Society. “Since 2015, AFS has served as a creative and cultural hub for Armenian film, showcasing new and emerging filmmakers and films. We are thrilled to mark this milestone with our Gala and a special conversation with two visionary filmmakers who have transformed Hollywood through their collaboration: Ryan Coogler and Sev Ohanian.”
Ohanian said, “I’m incredibly honored — this organization means the world to me. Armenians have a deep tradition of storytelling, and AFS has become a home for that legacy to thrive. To be recognized by them is something I’ll carry with me. And having Ryan, whose partnership has always been rooted in shared values and purpose, present the award makes it even more meaningful."
Founded in 2015, Armenian Film Society (AFS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and a creative and cultural hub that champions Armenian films and empowers Armenian filmmakers.
With branches in Los Angeles and London, AFS hosts year-round programming and has partnered with notable organizations such as Vidiots, American Cinematheque, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. AFS has welcomed guests such as Oscar winning directors Sean Baker and Ben Proudfoot, as well as Mychael Danna, Atom Egoyan, and Sev Ohanian.
AFS serves as a cultural bridge, connecting Armenian stories to the wider world through the universal language of cinema. AFS’s events always have an Armenian connection, but all our events are open to the public and consistently draw diverse audiences. We've become a cultural force, regularly hosting Oscar winners and industry legends, drawing sold-out crowds, and earning global press.
Now in its third year, AFS’s Armenian Film Festival draws in thousands of attendees each year. The 2025 Armenian Film Festival is presented by The Envelope by the Los Angeles Times. The inaugural Armenian Film Festival London was held in December 2024 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.
The Movie Report wants to attend all your film, television, music, and entertainment special events! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!
BET EXPERIENCE PRESENTED BY SHEAMOISTURE
ANNOUNCES FAN FEST HEADLINERS:
GLORILLA TO PERFORM SATURDAY, JUNE 7,
WITH MUSTARD PERFORMING SUNDAY, JUNE 8
AMERIE, ANYCIA, BOSSMAN DLOW, CRIME MOB,
KALAN.FRFR, KERI HILSON, LARUSSEL, MARIO,
AND PRETTY RICKY JOIN THE LINEUP
FOR A STAR-STUDDED WEEKEND
OF LIVE PERFORMANCES AND
IMMERSIVE FAN FEST ACTIVATIONS
Los Angeles, CA, May 7, 2025 – BET Media Group today revealed new details for an electrifying weekend of live performances from Amerie, Anycia, BossMan Dlow, Crime Mobb, GloRilla, Kalan.FrFr, Keri Hilson, LaRussell, Mario, Mustard, and Pretty Ricky at BET Experience, presented by SheaMoisture: Fan Fest 2025. Taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 7 & 8, this 2-day cultural celebration will feature immersive Fan Fest activations, bringing together the best in music, culture, and community, culminating in the highly anticipated BET Awards 2025.
Kicking off the festivities on Saturday, June 7, chart-topping rap sensation GloRilla will headline with her high-energy anthems, alongside viral phenom BossMan Dlow. The excitement turns up with special sets from Southern rap legends Crime Mob, R&B icon Mario, timeless hitmaker Amerie, and rising rap star Anycia. GRAMMY-winning producer Mustard brings his signature sound to the Fan Fest stage on Sunday, June 8, along with R&B group Pretty Ricky, songstress Keri Hilson, rising star Kalan.FrFr, and lyrical powerhouse LaRussell. With two nights of non-stop hits, throwback classics, and surprise moments, BET Experience Fan Fest 2025 delivers an unforgettable celebration of hip-hop and R&B.
Beyond the electrifying mainstage performances, BET Experience Fan Fest 2025 offers fans an immersive weekend with can’t-miss activations, including:
HOW TO ATTEND:
Register NOW for free access to BET Experience 2025, presented by SheaMoisture at https://www.BETExperience.com.
BET Experience sets the tone for Monday, June 9, with the premiere of BET Awards 2025. Additional BET Experience 2025 talent and programming will be announced at a later date. Stay informed with real-time updates by following BET Experience on Twitter @bet and join the conversation using #BETX.
BET Experience 2025 is co-produced by Live Nation Urban.
ABOUT BET EXPERIENCE
BET Experience is the destination for elevating unapologetic Blackness with authentic entertainment, access, and lifestyle experiences. Through the lens of millennial and Gen Z audiences, BET Experience cultivates the intersection of who this coveted segment is and where it’s headed.
ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international.
For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms.
ABOUT LIVE NATION
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
Live Nation Urban (LNU) remains North America’s preeminent producer of concert experiences, festivals, and platforms headlined, curated, and owned by black talent. Operating in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company, the company sets the tone for culture with over a dozen sought-after festival brands such as Roots Picnic, Broccoli City, Exodus Music & Arts Festival, ONE Musicfest, Strength of a Woman, and more.
Beyond their captivating live events, Live Nation Urban has established themselves as key social architects in black culture with their innovative initiatives that include Juneteenth: A Global Celebration (broadcast on CNN), Kerry Washington’s Thicker Than Water book tour, and a special Hip-Hop 50 event at the home of Vice President Kamala Harris in addition to tours by artists such as Ari Lennox, Kirk Franklin, Davido, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, Jodeci, and Raphael Saadiq. The LNU-produced A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop special garnered a nomination at the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Variety Show. Live Nation Urban continues to grow across hip-hop, R&B, soul, and gospel as the most trusted purveyor of live urban music.
For additional information, visit https://livenationurban.com/.
The Movie Report wants to attend all your film, television, music, and entertainment special events! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!
BET MEDIA GROUP ANNOUNCES
FIRST WAVE OF LINEUP FOR STAR-STUDDED
BET EXPERIENCE 2025 CONCERT SERIES
BUJU BANTON, JAGGED EDGE, DONELL JONES,
ERIC BELLINGER, THE ROOTS, LIL KIM,
REDMAN & METHOD MAN, BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY,
RAEKWON, GOODIE MOB, E-40, DJ QUIK, HAVOC,
AND MANY MORE ELECTRIFYING ARTISTS
SET TO TAKE THE STAGE
The Free BETX FanFest Returns to the
Los Angeles Convention Center June 7-8,
and Waymaker Men's Summit at BETX
Makes Its BETX debut June 5-6
Los Angeles, CA, April 10, 2025 – BET Media Group today revealed the first wave of talent and programming set to take over Los Angeles for BET Experience 2025, a multi-day celebration showcasing the best in music culture, and community happening June 5–8, ahead of Culture’s Biggest Night, BET Awards 2025.
BET Experience: Buju Banton kicks off the festivities on Wednesday, June 5, with a powerful headlining performance from the global reggae icon at the Hollywood Palladium.
On Saturday, June 8, the legendary Roots Picnic returns to the Hollywood Bowl for A Roots Picnic Experience: Class of ‘95 featuring The Roots, Lil' Kim, Redman & Method Man, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Raekwon, Goodie Mob, E-40, DJ Quik, and Havoc.
BET will also present BET R&B Night at the YouTube Theater on June 8, showcasing a night of unforgettable performances by Jagged Edge, Donell Jones, and Eric Bellinger with a special R&B ONLY set featuring Tiára Monique and JABARI. In addition to their own set, R&B ONLY will host the evening, keeping the vibes flowing between performances with their signature DJ sets throughout the night.
Pre-sale tickets for BET R&B Night are available starting TODAY at BETExperience.com, with tickets for Buju Banton and Roots Picnic also available for purchase.
BETX 2025 is transforming Culture’s Biggest Night into Culture’s Biggest Week, promising to take you higher with the ultimate celebration of Black culture and entertainment. Anchoring this year’s Experience is fan-favorite BETX 2025 FanFest, a free event taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center starting Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. For more information, visit BETExperience.com.
Additionally, BET Experience joins forces with WayMaker Men’s Summit on June 5 and 6 at The Beehive by SoLa Impact, offering two days of empowering conversation, networking, and community-building focused on men of color. Register for WayMaker Men’s Summit at BETX at https://waymakersummit.com/.
BET Experience sets the tone for Monday, June 9, with the premiere of BET Awards 2025. Additional BET Experience 2025 talent and programming will be announced at a later date. Stay informed with real-time updates by following BET Experience on Twitter @bet and join the conversation using #BETX.
BET Experience 2025 is co-produced by Live Nation Urban.
ABOUT BET EXPERIENCE
BET Experience is the destination for elevating unapologetic Blackness with authentic entertainment, access, and lifestyle experiences. Through the lens of millennial and Gen Z audiences, BET Experience cultivates the intersection of who this coveted segment is and where it’s headed.
ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international.
For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms.
ABOUT LIVE NATION
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
Live Nation Urban (LNU) remains North America’s preeminent producer of concert experiences, festivals, and platforms headlined, curated, and owned by black talent. Operating in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company, the company sets the tone for culture with over a dozen sought-after festival brands such as Roots Picnic, Broccoli City, Exodus Music & Arts Festival, ONE Musicfest, Strength of a Woman, and more.
Beyond their captivating live events, Live Nation Urban has established themselves as key social architects in black culture with their innovative initiatives that include Juneteenth: A Global Celebration (broadcast on CNN), Kerry Washington’s Thicker Than Water book tour, and a special Hip-Hop 50 event at the home of Vice President Kamala Harris in addition to tours by artists such as Ari Lennox, Kirk Franklin, Davido, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, Jodeci, and Raphael Saadiq. The LNU-produced A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop special garnered a nomination at the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Variety Show. Live Nation Urban continues to grow across hip-hop, R&B, soul, and gospel as the most trusted purveyor of live urban music.
For additional information, visit https://livenationurban.com/.
The Movie Report wants to attend all your film, television, music, and entertainment special events! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!
