The history of Georgian cinema dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and spans more than 100 years. The birth date is considered to be 1908, when Vasil Amashukeli began shooting movies in Baku. The first film that has survived to this day is Amashukeli’s documentary “Akaki Tsereteli’s Journey to Racha-Lechkhumi” shot in 1912, and the first feature film is Germane Gogitidze’s “Christine” made in 1919.

Georgian cinema has been noted for its cinematography in Europe. Italian film director Federico Fellini once said: “Georgian film is a completely unique phenomenon, vivid, philosophically inspiring, very wise and childlike”.

After the Russian occupation of Georgia, the Soviet government paid special attention to cinema as it was a perfect way of advertising and spreading their propaganda. Besides being under strict censorship, Georgian filmmakers always managed to avoid official propaganda and tackle current social and moral problems through their works.

The revival of Georgian cinema began in the 1950s. The state film studio “Georgian Film” was established in 1953, where all Georgian films were shot. Rezo Chkheidze and Tengiz Abuladze worked on “Magdana’s Lurja,” – an adaptation of Ekaterine Gabashvili’s story. The movie was influenced by Italian neorealism, as was Abuladze’s other movie, “Other People’s Children.” “Magdana’s Lurja” won awards at the Cannes and Edinburgh International Film Festivals. Rezo Chkheidze’s heroic drama “The Soldier’s Father” and its lead actor Sergo Zakariadze were also popular.

The best Georgian movies from the 60’s and the 70’s stood out from the general stream of Soviet film production. It was an era when Eldar Shengelaia, Giorgi Shengelaia, Otar Ioseliani, Merab Kokochashvili and others emerged. Works like “The White Caravan”, “Alaverdoba”, “Falling Leaves (Giorgobistve)”, “Great Green Valley” and “Unusual Exhibition” carried subliminal criticism of the existing social system.

The collapse of the Soviet Union had a negative impact on the development of Georgian cinema. Filmings were halted. Due to the devastation and deteriorating socio-economic environment, directors managed to make only a few films.

The exception was Nana Jorjadze’s 1996 film “1001 Recipes of a Chef in Love,” which was a Georgian-French joint production and achieved great international success. It was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

In 2013, the Georgian-Estonian production “Tangerines,” directed by Zaza Urushadze, was nominated for the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, as it gained international success and attention.