Batumi International Art-House Film Festival

The 20th Batumi International Art-House Film Festival (BIAFF) is scheduled to take place from September 19 to September 26 in Batumi. The festival will open with a screening of Levan Koguashvili’s new film, "Guria," with the director and film crew in attendance. Renowned Polish director Agnieszka Holland will receive a Special Award for her contributions to cinema during the opening ceremony.

The festival program includes international feature and short film competitions, a "Masters’ Collection," and a "Music in Cinema" section. For the first time, screenings for young audiences will be held, featuring restored Georgian animated films, and film screenings will also take place on the seafront. The main working venue for the festival, hosting press conferences, masterclasses, and professional discussions, will be Le Méridien Batumi.

This year introduces two new juries: a Georgian Film Critics’ Jury, presenting the Olga (Lala) Tabukashvili Award, and a Youth Jury, awarding the Giorgi Gogiberidze Award. An industry platform, "Alternative Wave," will commence on September 22, providing workshops for Georgian filmmakers on screenwriting, project development, and international funding strategies. The festival will conclude on September 26 with an awards ceremony, where British producer Mike Downey and Georgian director Temur Babluani will also receive Special Awards for their outstanding contributions to cinema.