‘Georgian Short Films’

The selection of Georgian shorts will take the audience on a cinematic journey created by young directors representing a generation set to rediscover the Georgian film tradition. Creative, bold and daring they form the artistic voices of current times - they self-reflect, dig deep and revisit the audio-visual narrative in their homeland. All four films selected for the showcase received genuine international visibility: premiering in the official selections of Festivals such as Cannes, Sundance and Locarno – these young filmmakers dare being critical of the shadows and values of past times; they question stereotypes on systemic and human levels. 
The shorts programme will contribute to a better understanding of current issues facing Georgian society on social and political levels. The films point towards an urgent need for systemic metamorphosis and the importance of a role for every human being in reshaping societal values in contemporary Georgia.

Mama (Father) - Data Phirtskalava                    
Lado is nineteen when his father unexpectedly comes back home after a very long absence. The young man is desperately trying to get some answers from his father, however all in vain. When his father leaves again, Lado goes back to his life of crime, together with his younger brother.         

Lethe - Dea Kulumbegashvili             
By the river of oblivion, a lonely horseman passes through a village where children play with hidden desires, adults indulge in celebration, and violence and love are instinctive parts of life.  

Fatherland - George Sikharulidze
In 2016, on the 63rd anniversary of Stalin's death, his worshippers gather outside of his birthplace in Georgia to demand his canonization as a saint. Then, an uncanny event takes place happens ​​​​​​​

The Animal - Amiran Dolidze
​​​​​​​On the street of a bleak suburb four deadbeats hang out and do nothing, one of them, however doesn't look like the others. He is the one who finds out that Life is a battle for survival where boundaries between humans and animals are deadly blurred.