Tell us a bit about yourself - all the basics! Where you’re from, where you grew up, interests, hobbies, siblings, causes you’re passionate about, anything else that comes to mind…

I am Lilit Mkhitaryan, a director based in Armenia. I grew up in a little stressful town which made me dream of coming out there and doing something important. Those early years surrounded by cracked pavement, sharp mountain winds, and the quiet frustrations of people who had long given up-taught me to listen. Not just to words, but to silences. To the stories people didn’t say out loud. That’s where my passion for storytelling was born not in glamorous theaters or film schools, but in overheard arguments at the corner store, in the way my mother looked out the window when she thought no one noticed.

How did you become interested in film?

From a young age, I knew I was meant to be connected to the world of media. I loved listening to ordinary stories, the kind that often go unnoticed but carry so much meaning. One day, I came across an open call for shooting short films. I had never held a proper camera before. I applied with an idea rooted in real life- simple, honest, and close to my heart. To my surprise, my proposal was accepted. That short film, raw as it was, resonated with people. It was loved for its sincerity, for the way it captured real human moments. That experience opened my eyes. I realized that I didn’t just want to tell stories-I wanted to film them. That’s how my journey into documentary filmmaking began. Not through a formal decision, but through a feeling an instinct that this is what I was meant to do.

How did you arrive at the subject of your Close Up project?

I have always been deeply moved by those living on the margins—individuals caught in the midst of conflict, straddling borders both physical and symbolic. Driven by a desire to witness their lives up close, I traveled to a village on the Armenian-Turkish border. There, I encountered the most spirited children in the community, whose warmth and openness were immediate and unforgettable. Their vibrant energy drew me in, and what began as a fleeting visit has since become a long-term connection. I've been filming them for over two years now.

What has influenced your work as a filmmaker the most? A person, an educator, another filmmaker, a film itself, an experience, etc.?

In the Dark by Sergey Dvortsevoy had a profound impact on me. His poignant storytelling and minimalist style deeply resonated with my understanding of human resilience and solitude.