Georgian films are big winners at international festivals

"A masterpiece both visually and story-wise” is how the film Tangerines by Georgian director Zaza Urushadze was described at an international film festival where the film was awarded top honours.

The Georgian film was named the best film in the Taste of Europe section at the Ostend Films Festival in Belgium.

"A masterpiece both visually and story-wise. A story that touches upon everybody,” said the Festival Jury President, Belgian animotor-director Raoul Servais while describing Tangerines.

At a separate event in Kazakhstan, four of the Tangerines actors were recognised for their talents. At the Eurasia Festival, Giorgi Nakashidze, Mikheil Meskhi, Lembit Ulfsak and Elmo Nuganen received best actor awards.

Tangerines, which is the first Georgian-Estonian co-production, was recently nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Race at the world renowned Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars.

While its nomination for the prestigious awards ceremony has not been confirmed, the film has already gained global recognition. 

Tangerines has won 15 international film awards at six international festivals since it was released in 2013, including top prizes at the Warsaw International Film Festival 2013, the Seattle International Film Festival 2014 and the BIFEST - Bari International Film Festival 2014.

Meanwhile, Georgian film Corn Island by George Ovashvili won the Grand Prix at the Split Film Festival 2014 in Croatia.

"The film contains stunning images of a seemingly remote ‘non-place’ in between countries,” said the judging panel when explaining their decision.

"The narration is exemplary in showing how strong family bonds become important in difficult times. The film hints at war and shows how territories and cultural values are re-arranged and how war can rip apart families."

This year Georgia has nominated locally directed-internationally produced Corn Island to compete in the prestigious Oscars film awards.

Corn Island is an almost wordless story about an aging farmer and his granddaughter pitted against nature and a lingering ethnic conflict.