RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan received today Director of the Youth and Education Department of France TV Pierre Siracusa who is in Armenia at the invitation of the organizers of the ReA festival.

ESCS Deputy Minister Daniel Danielyan and the founder of the ReA festival, cartoonist Vrej Kassouni also attended the meeting.

ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan welcomed the guests and emphasized her willingness to cooperate with France in the fields of film production, distribution, and television. Underlining the significance of studying and adopting French experience, the ESCS Minister emphasized the importance of sharing experience in the field of film production and broadcasting.

As part of his visit to Armenia, Pierre Siracusa recently met with filmmakers at the Armenian Film Foundation to explore the opportunities of producing animated TV series and co-production, as well as the preferred formats in the professional market. Thankful for the reception, he expressed his willingness to share the French experience with his Armenian counterparts.

According to the founder of the ReA Festival, Vrej Kassouni, the opportunities of creating animated TV series were discussed at the meeting with various industry representatives. Vrej Kassouni informed that as a result of discussions with foreign partners, the possibility of creating an independent platform is being considered. The platform will facilitate the activation of activities towards the production of animated TV series for children and youth with educational, cultural and national content.

Underlining the significance of expanding Armenian-French ties in various fields, the Minister emphasized the execution of joint initiatives in the fields of culture and education.

“Media and social networks exert a growing influence on children and adolescents. Encouraging the creation of educational content is the primary goal of the Ministry,” stated ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan, highlighting the importance of implementing projects aimed at capacity-building in this direction.

The Minister also underlined that the reforms in the Armenian education system - the new state standard for general education, in particular, aim to develop learners' capabilities, with a particular focus on the components of cultural and media literacy.

Zhanna Andreasyan also noted that the state attaches great importance to the co-production of films and the promotion of Armenian cinematography, within the framework of which a number of legislative changes have been made. The RA Government has approved the procedure and terms for partial reimbursement of investments in film production, which envisages a cash rebate of up to 35 percent of investments for films produced in Armenia. Strategic directions also cover the development of animated film production, as well as the creation of educational and cultural television series.

Other issues of bilateral interest were also addressed at the meeting.