EU Human Rights in Film Award: Two Winners Honored with the EU Special Prize
At the closing ceremony of the 25th Tbilisi International Film Festival, the EU Special Prize “EU Human Rights in Film Award” was presented to two outstanding films. EU Delegation’s Head of Cooperation, Nicholas Cendrowicz, awarded the prizes at the Amirani Cinema. This year, the EU Delegation presented the Special Prize in partnership with World Vision Georgia.
The EU Special Prize celebrated achievements in two distinct categories: fiction and documentary. The award for the Best Documentary went to „Blueberry Dreams“ directed by Elene Mikaberidze, while „Holy Electricity”, directed by Tato Kotetishvili, won the Best Fiction award. The winners were selected by a jury consisting of professional film critics and experts in the field of human rights protection.
During his remarks at the ceremony, EU Head of Cooperation Nicholas Cendrowicz said:
“The European Union is proud to support the „Human Rights in Film“ Award, which is now more important than ever. We deplore the excessive use of force against the people who are gathering in the streets to say loud and clear that they aspire for democracy and that Georgia belongs in the EU. That includes a Georgia where human rights are protected.”
This year, 14 films were nominated in the EU special prize categories, each addressing vital human rights issues through the power of storytelling.
Fiction Films
- April/ აპრილი – Dea Kulumbegashvili, Georgia/France/Italy, 2024
- Holy Electricity/წმინდა ელექტროენერგია – Tato Kotetishvili, Georgia/Netherlands, 2024
- When You Are/17 როცა 17 წლის ხარ – Giorgi Mukhadze, 2024,
- Amaia’s Guests/ამაია’ს სტუმრები – George Todria, Georgia/Spain,
- Bait/სატყუარა – Giorgi Mukhadze/Toby Andris, 2024,
- Elene Dariani/ელენე დარიანი – Elene Tavadze, 2024,
- Inhale/ჩაისუნთქე – Melana Sokhadze, Georgia/Switzerland, 2024
Documentary Films
- Blueberry Dreams/ლურჯი მოცვი – Elene Mikaberidze, Georgia/France/ Belgium/Qatar, 2024,
- Ever Since I Knew Myself/ რაც თავი მახსოვს – Maka Gogaladze, 2024,
- On The Way Home/იქ, სადაც სახლია – Giorgi Kvelidze, 2024,
- Bakhmaro 2050/ ბახმარო 2050 – Anka Gujabidze, 2024,
- Katarina and the Tiger/ კატარინა და ვეფხვი – Bakar Cherkezishvili, 2024,
- Ode To Memorial/ ოდა მემორიალს – Giorgi Kvartskhava, 2024,
- The Flower by the Road/ ყვავილი გზის პირას – Giorgi Parkosadze, Georgia/Hungary/Belgium/Portugal, 2024
The Special Award of the European Union Delegation to Georgia – “EU Human Rights in Film Award” was established to mark the Human Rights Day, which is celebrated on December 10. The special award was presented for the sixth time this year.
The Prometheus Center for Cinematographic Art has been organising the Tbilisi International Film Festival since 2000, and the goal is to present new outstanding foreign and Georgian films.