FROM THE DIRECTOR

I grew up in the real-life Nowhere – a city hidden in the shadows of the world. It was a magical place full of wonder and excitement. But it was also a place always under siege – a stage of endless revolution, war, and genocide.

Since I was a kid, I’ve been struggling for freedom on the streets of Yerevan, Armenia. My entire life has been defined by the struggle for freedom. And we have won it many times – under stars and smoke of bombs, with fists and open palms. And then, we have lost it again. We have just lost it again.

On its face, Nowhere is a simple fairytale – a love story. But hidden under it is something a little darker and more complicated: an allegory of freedom – a parable about so many people struggling across the world. The film is set in Yerevan, but it is actually taking place everywhere – or Nowhere.

Garin Hovannisian's signature

Garin Hovannisian

NOWHERE Logo, Short Film by Garin Hovannisian
Award-Winning and Oscar©-Qualifying Short Film
Award-Winning and Oscar©-Qualifying Short Film
NOWHERE Short Film Awards
“The best
short film of
the year.”
The Jerusalem Post
“A COMPLETELY ORIGINAL VOICE AND VISION.”
The Chicago Journal
“a twisted
fairytale FOR
OUR TIME.”
LA Weekly

FROM THE DIRECTOR

I grew up in the real-life Nowhere — a city hidden in the shadows of the world.

It was a magical place full of wonder and excitement. But it was also a place always under siege — a stage of endless revolution, war, and genocide.

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GARIN HOVANNISIAN is a writer, filmmaker, and illusionist who lives in Yerevan, Armenia. He has explored Armenia's struggle for freedom in his memoir Family of Shadows (HarperCollins 2010) and in his award-winning Armenian documentary trilogy – I Am Not Alone (TIFF 2020), Truth to Power (Tribeca 2021), Invisible Republic (GAIFF 2023). He also recently  released a magic special City of Cards (2023).

Nowhere

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In the city of Nowhere, shadows dream of a life without their human masters.

Director, Writer & Editor: Garin Hovannisian
Starring: Karen Khachatryan, Ripsime Nahapetyan, Arman Navasardyan, Heriknaz Mkhitaryan
Producers: 
Garin Hovannisian, Alec Mouhibian
Co-Producer: Suren Tadevosyan
Cinematography: Suren Tadevosyan, ACG
Visual Effects Producer: Vasil Shahbazyan
Associate Producer: Anush Ter-Khachatryan
Production Design: Tigran Asaturov
Music: Andranik Berberyan
Costume Design: Narine Sahakyan