Georgia stands out as one of the few countries in the world with a 100-year long film-making history. Since 1908, national cinematography has enjoyed great success and established its own unique identity. In fact, Georgian cinematography has long been one of the dominant factors shaping the country’s image. It has accumulated valuable experience grooming generations of local filmmakers open to innovation, idea sharing and international cooperation, ensuring that many of the films made in Georgia are internationally acclaimed.
In April, films by Georgian directors swept nearly half of the awards at this year’s Beijing International Film Festival with actors, directors and cinematographers from Georgia taking away the prizes.
Marking its 8th edition, the Festival ran in China between April 15–22. The event’s principal award for best feature went to young film director Ana Urushadze’s Locarno Film Festival-premiered drama, ‘Scary Mother’.
In addition to collecting the prize for this debut feature work, the film also collected another major recognition from the festival: Nata Murvanidze, the lead actress of the film, was named best actress for her portrayal of a woman plunging into her passion for writing and facing pressure and confusion from her family.
The Beijing International Film Festival also honored another Georgian female filmmaker. Mariam Khatchvani was awarded best director for her story of romance and customs in Georgia’s remote mountainous Svaneti province, told through the feature film ‘Dede.’
For the same movie, Konstantin Mindia Esadze claimed the award for best cinematography, rounding off the Georgian representation at the festival.
Earlier in November, the movies Scary Mother and Dede attracted prizes from Asia Pacific Screen Awards, known as ‘the Asian Oscars’
It is noteworthy, that Georgia is emerging as a highly attractive Eastern European filming destination as major players in the international film industry travel to Georgia to learn more about the country’s unique filming environment. Hollywood, Bollywood and European movie industry representatives have increased their travel to Georgia to learn more about the Georgian Government’s initiative to stimulate its film sector and establish Georgia as an international filming location by offering favorable conditions to local and international filmmakers.
Launched in 2017, the Film-in-Georgia program offers financial incentives and tax rebates to encourage foreign cinematographers to film in Georgia: It includes a tax refund system, under which filmmakers will receive a 20–25% rebate for qualifying expenses, and another 2% for any specific Georgian elements featured in the film. This mechanism will be applicable across a range of areas, including feature film, film for television, television series, animation, documentary, reality television, and music videos.