Armenian producer Sev Ohanian and writer-director Ryan Coogler will take the stage at the 2025 Armenian Film Festival on Sunday, September 7, for a rare one-on-one conversation about their partnership at Proximity Media. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale.
A Creative Partnership
Ohanian and Coogler first met at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Their debut collaboration, Fruitvale Station, became a breakout success, grossing over $17 million on a $900,000 budget. In 2018, the duo co-founded Proximity Media with Zinzi Coogler, building a multimedia company dedicated to event-driven films, television, soundtracks, and podcasts that highlight under-represented stories. Proximity’s slate includes Judas and the Black Messiah, Creed III, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Stephen Curry: Underrated, and upcoming Marvel titles Ironheart and Eyes of Wakanda.
About the Speakers
- Sev Ohanian – Armenian-American producer and screenwriter behind Searching, Run, and Missing, and executive producer of the Oscar-winning Judas and the Black Messiah. His induction into the Armenian Film Hall of Fame recognizes his impact on contemporary cinema.
- Ryan Coogler – Director of Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and the upcoming Sinners. His films have grossed nearly $1.5 billion domestically, cementing his status as one of the industry’s most successful filmmakers.
Event Details & Tickets
The conversation will run about an hour, offering behind-the-scenes stories and insights into one of today’s most influential creative partnerships.
Tickets are now available through the Armenian Film Society’s website; seating is limited and expected to sell out quickly.
Immediately after, Armenian Film Society will host their 10th anniversary gala at Vertigo at 5 p.m., celebrating a decade of Armenian Film Society where Sev Ohanian will be inducted into the newly established Armenian Film Hall of Fame by Ryan Coogler.
