Nariné Mkrtchyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia.

She majored in film directing of the culture faculty at Yerevan Pedagogical University. Since graduating in 1981, she worked at the Armenfilm State Studio, directing five short films (co-director Arsen Azatyan) based on their own scenarios.

In 1990 she with Arsen Azatyan established AYSOR and, later on, AYSOR-PLUS FILM PRODUCTIONS, the first independent production company since the collapse of USSR.

To-date, they directed 16 films, including five full-length feature films.

Their films participated in more than 70 international film festivals, including Berlin, Rotterdam, Locarno, Busan, Sydney, Montreal, Moscow, Edinburgh, Goteborg, Taormina, Fajr, Tarragona, Odence, Belgrade, Luisville, Kolkata, Uruguaya etc. The films led to a critical acclaim and earned them awards and prizes.