All posts by sfbayeca_wordps

The Dragon Under Our Feet

I’m thrilled to share a deeply personal project I’m working on in my 2025 SFFILM FilmHouse Residency — and invite you to help make it happen.

I’m directing and producing a full-length documentary called The Dragon Under Our Feet, that follows my journey as a Bay Area artist reconnecting with my Armenian heritage through the art of traditional carpet weaving. What began as an exploration of ancient symbols has grown into a story about identity, resilience, and the fight to preserve culture.

In the film, I create a contemporary stained glass work inspired by centuries-old Armenian carpet motifs — especially the dragon (vishap). Along the way, I meet weavers, elders, and historians in both California and Armenia, from refugee women in Goris weaving to support their families, to museum directors saving rare rugs from war. With these cultural experts as my guide, we uncover the stories these carpets carry — and the questions they raise about heritage, connection, and survival.

We’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign to directly support filming in Armenia this September. Donations are tax-deductible. You can help by contributing or sharing the campaign with your community. Every gesture moves us closer to preserving and sharing these stories.

https://seedandspark.com/fund/the-dragon-under-our-feet#story

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22 Sept: Small State, Strategic Breakthrough: Armenia’s Search for Security, From Big Tech to Geopolitical Reshuffling

Armenian studies @ Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies presents:
EVN Talks: Small State, Strategic Breakthrough: Armenia’s Search for Security, From Big Tech to Geopolitical Reshuffling
Monday, September 22 at 6:30 – 8:00PM PST

Encina Commons, Rm. 123
615 Crothers Way, Stanford University

Armenia stands at a critical juncture, facing the dual challenges of ensuring security and driving innovation in a region fraught with conflict and uncertainty. This discussion will examine how Armenia manages pressing security challenges with long-term strategic thinking, including the role of technology, digital transformation and creative diplomacy in charting a path forward. The panelists will explore the lessons Armenia offers on resilience, adaptation and reimagining small state strategy in volatile geopolitical contexts.

Panelists:
Dr. Anna OhanyanStonehill College in Massachusetts;
Dr. Nerses KopalyanUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas;
Raffi KassarjianCEO and Principal Advisor at Sensyan;

Moderator:
Maria TitizianEditor-in-Chief of EVN Report

For more event details and to RSVP, click here