Aurora’s Sunrise

Directed by Inna Sahakyan  |  Armenia, Lithuania, Germany  |  2022  |  96 min  |  M15+

A genocide survivor becomes a silent movie star. At only 14 years old, Aurora loses everything during the horror of the Armenian Genocide. But with luck and extraordinary courage, she escapes to New York, where her story becomes a media sensation. After publishing a memoir of her experiences, Aurora goes on to star as herself in the 1919 film Auction of Souls, an early silent Hollywood adaptation of her book. She becomes the face of the largest charity campaign in American history.

An incredible documentary that blends vivid animation, archival footage and 18-minute rediscovered footage from the original silent epic, Aurora’s Sunrise brings the inspiring and unbelievable story of Aurora Mardiganian to life.

Armenia’s official selection for Best International Feature Film category at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023.

ANNIVERSARY SCREENING: In honour of our 10th Anniversary, AFFA revisits a selection of unforgettable films from the past decade – stories that moved us, connected us and continue to resonate today. Aurora’s Sunrise first screened in 2023.

Festival Guest

Q&A with Filmmaker Inna Sahakyan

Inna Sahakyan

One of Armenia’s leading documentary filmmakers and producers, renowned for bringing overlooked stories to international audiences through powerful, human-centred storytelling. Over a career spanning more than 15 years, she has directed acclaimed documentaries including The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia (2010), Mel (2021), and the award-winning animated documentary Aurora’s Sunrise (2022). Through her work, Sahakyan explores memory, identity, resilience, and cultural heritage, often uncovering forgotten stories with sensitivity and originality. Her films have screened at major international festivals and earned widespread recognition, establishing her as a distinctive voice in contemporary Armenian cinema.

Tickets

SYDNEY – Saturday 26 September 2026, 6pm
Best of AFFA
Q&A with filmmaker
Event Cinemas Top Ryde
PERTH – Sunday 25 October 2026, 2:00pm
Event Cinemas Innaloo
Aurora's Sunrise

Genre

Documentary

Year

2022

Classification

M15+

Country

Armenia, Lithuania, Germany

Language

Armenian, English

Director

Inna Sahakyan

Content warning

Contains still photos of genocide atrocities
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