The fourth annual Svaneti International Film Festival runs for a week from 15 July 2024 in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Svaneti, a region nestling in Georgia’s Caucasus mountains.
SIFF is the brainchild of general director Teimuraz Chkhvimiani, and artistic director Mariam Khatchvani who rose to the international stage with her awarding-winning feature debut Dede.
The Festival showcases the latest world cinema short films across the genres providing an opportunity for talented directors, producers and writers from all over the world to share their work in an exciting international environment.
Described as ‘breathakingly wild and mysterious”, Svaneti is now accessed by Queen Tamar Airport in the nearby capital Mestia. Tamar reigned as Queen of Georgia (1184-1213) during its Golden Age when the country became the most powerful in the region. Svaneti’s emblem is the koshki (defensive stone tower), created to house villagers at times of invasion and local strife (until recently Svaneti was renowned for its murderous blood feuds). Around 175 koshkebi, most originally built between the 9th and 13th centuries, survive here today and provide a stunning contrast to Mestia’s ultra modern airport designed by the German firm J Mayer H Architects.
SVANETI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024 | SVANETI, GEORGIA 15-21 July 2024
Image copyright J. Mayer H. Architects