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 six full-length feature films.

Their films have been showcased at over 70 international film festivals, including Berlin, Rotterdam, Locarno, Busan, Sydney, Montreal, Visions du Réel, Moscow, Edinburgh, Gothenburg, Taormina, Fajr, Tarragona, Odense, Belgrade, Louisville, Kolkata, IFFI-Goa, Cairo and Uruguay, among others. Their work has received critical acclaim, earning numerous awards and honors.