Posts in category: News

On November 13, 2022, the Taoba International Youth Film Festival, successfully organized the “Young Audience Award” (YAA) in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, and Zugdidi, as part of the European Film Awards. It was a momentous occasion for young film enthusiasts aged 12-14 from across Georgia, as they had the opportunity to watch three nominated films, participate in discussions and vote for their favorite.

The award brought together young people from over 70 European cities, making it the biggest film jury in the world. The YAA is a unique opportunity for young people to engage with European cinema and have their voices heard, and this year, more than 200 young Georgians took part in the event.

The three nominated films were carefully chosen to provide a diverse range of perspectives and stories, and the discussions and debates that followed were lively and engaging. The young participants were able to gain insights into different cultures and perspectives and appreciate the art of cinema.

The YAA is not just about recognizing the best film, but also about promoting and encouraging interest in European cinema among young people. We are delighted that this year, the award was organized in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, and Zugdidi, thanks to our local partners: Kutaisi Youth and Children’s Palace, Batumi Youth and Children’s Palace and Zugdidi Youth and Children’s Palace. This allowed more young people across Georgia to participate in the event and get a taste of European cinema.

We believe that the YAA is an important platform for young people to engage with European cinema and have their voices heard. We are proud of our partnership with European Film Academy which allows us to organize the Young Audience Award in Georgia. Overall, the Young Audience Award provided an enriching and enjoyable experience for young Georgians and helped to foster mutual understanding and respect among the young people of Europe.

We are excited to announce that the Taoba International Youth Film Festival, will once again be organizing the “Young Audience Award” (YAA) in Georgia for the European Film Academy. This award is a unique opportunity for young people aged 12-14 from across Europe to watch three nominated films, select a winner, and have their voices heard as part of the largest film jury in the world.

The Young Audience Award is a category of the European Film Awards and is organized in 42 European countries, with young juries in over 60 movie theatres and online in more than 70 European cities. The winner of the award is chosen by young people, who watch three nominated films and vote for their favorite. The award is not only a recognition of the best film but also a way to promote and encourage interest in European cinema among young people.

We are happy to announce that this year, besides Tbilisi, the award will be organized in Kutaisi, Batumi, and Zugdidi, thanks to our local partners: Kutaisi Youth and Children’s Palace, Batumi Youth and Children’s Palace and Zugdidi Youth and Children’s Palace. This is a great step forward in expanding the reach of the award and providing more young people from across Georgia with the opportunity to engage with and appreciate European cinema.

The award ceremony will take place on November 13th, 2022. This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to meet and connect with their peers from across Europe and be a part of a larger European community. It also helps to create a common language and shared culture, that can foster mutual understanding and respect among the young people of Europe.

The Taoba International Youth Film Festival is committed to promoting film education and cultural exchange among young people. We believe that the Young Audience Award is an important platform for young people to engage with European cinema and have their voices heard. We look forward to welcoming young people from across Georgia to take part in the award and experience the best of European cinema.

The 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival was held with great success by the National Palace and the Culture and Education Foundation at the Amirani Cinema. The festival, which took place from September 12-16, 2022, was attended by around 300 people every day, including young film enthusiasts and professionals from Georgia, Italy, Turkey, Armenia, Switzerland, Poland, Iran, France, Kazakhstan, Estonia, and Finland.

The festival program included 20 short and 4 full-length feature films, which were shown in the main festival program. Additionally, a special allocation of free seats was made available for residents of Tbilisi, allowing more young people to participate in the festival. The educational program consisted of 38 hours of lectures and masterclasses, providing a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the filmmaking process.

One of the highlights of the festival was the special guest, Italian blogger Matteo Pelusi, who held a masterclass for the young audience about content creation and digital platforms. He shared his experiences, insights, and tips with the audience, which was very well received by them.

The festival came to a close on September 16, with a public concert on Orbeliani square by the popular Georgian band 4D Monster Lobsters. The concert, which was attended by around 4,000 people, was a fitting end to the festival, celebrating the amazing films and experiences shared throughout the week.

The Taoba International Youth Film Festival was supported by several organizations and institutions, including Tbilisi City Hall, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia, Georgian National Film Center, Embassy of Italy in Georgia, French Institute, Goethe Institute, National Tourism Administration of Georgia, Public Broadcaster of Georgia and Amiran cinema. These supporters played a vital role in making the festival a success and providing a platform for young people to engage with films, learn about the filmmaking process, and be exposed to new ideas and perspectives. In conclusion, the 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival was a great success, providing a meaningful and engaging experience for young people, and promoting film education and cultural exchange. The festival was well attended, and the program was diverse, informative, and enjoyable. We look forward to continuing this tradition in future editions of the festival and providing young people with a platform to engage with films and culture.

The 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival came to a close with a spectacular concert by the popular Georgian band “4D Monster Lobsters” on Orbeliani square. The concert, which took place on September 16th, 2022, was the perfect way to end the festival and celebrate the amazing films and experiences shared throughout the week.

The concert, which was organized in partnership with “Caravan” and supported by Tbilisi City Hall, was a fantastic display of Georgian culture and music. 4D Monster Lobsters put on an unforgettable and energetic live performance, leaving the audience energized and excited. The band’s unique blend of indie rock and electronic music is beloved by many, and the concert was a fitting end to the festival’s program.

The concert took place on Orbeliani square, a historical and cultural landmark in Tbilisi that is home to many events throughout the year, including concerts, exhibitions, and festivals. The concert was a great opportunity for young people to experience the vibrant culture of Tbilisi and enjoy a fantastic live music performance in a unique and special location.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Tbilisi City Hall and “Caravan” for their support of the concert and the festival. Their commitment to supporting the arts and culture in Tbilisi made it possible for the young people to experience this amazing concert, which was definitely a highlight of the festival.

The Taoba International Youth Film Festival provides a platform for young people to engage with films, learn about the film-making process, and be exposed to new ideas and perspectives. But it also provides a platform to engage with local culture, music and art, creating a more holistic and enjoyable experience. We look forward to continuing this tradition in future editions of the festival and providing young people with a meaningful and engaging experience that encompasses multiple art forms.

Thank you to everyone!

The 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival has come to a close, and we are thrilled to announce the winners of the festival’s competition. The festival brought together young film enthusiasts and professionals from Georgia, Armenia, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Finland, Estonia, and France, and featured a diverse selection of films that showcased a wide range of perspectives and stories.

The young participants of the festival were responsible for selecting the winners of the competition, and they have spoken! The winner of the best feature film in competition was “Goodbye, Soviet Union” by Lauri Randla (Estonia, Finland). This moving and thought-provoking film explores the themes of identity and belonging through the eyes of a young Estonian boy living in the Soviet Union in the 1980s.

The winner of the best short film in competition was “The Watchers” by Sandro Souladze from Georgia. This intriguing and suspenseful film tells the story of Two little brothers (8 and 14 years old) who have to stay alone in their remote hut, to protect it from an obscure threat, while also dealing with their own fears and fantasy.

Both directors, Lauri Randla and Sandro Souladze received young audience awards, which serves as a testament to the connection and resonance the films had with the young people who attended the festival.

We would like to congratulate both Lauri Randla and Sandro Souladze on their well-deserved wins and thank all of the young participants for their thoughtful and engaged participation in the festival. We also would like to thank all the directors, producers, and other film professionals who participated in the festival and shared their films and knowledge with our young audience.

The Taoba International Youth Film Festival is an important platform for young people to engage with films, learn about the film-making process, and be exposed to new ideas and perspectives. We are committed to providing a meaningful and engaging experience for our young audience and we look forward to continuing to support young people’s academic, cultural, and social development through films.

Stay tuned for more information about the next edition of the festival!

We are thrilled to announce that Mr. Jacopo Gubitosi, General Manager of Giffoni Film Festival, attended the 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival.

Giffoni Film Festival, based in Italy, is the largest children’s film festival in Europe, with over 2,000 children attending the festival from 39 countries around the world. During the festival, the children and teenagers watch films, learn about the filmmaking process, and even get to judge and award the best films with prizes. This 39-year-old festival has had a great impact on the history of entertainment and culture, not only in Italy, but also internationally, and it has developed a high reputation worldwide. Every year the festival attracts 100,000 guests, directors, producers, and movie stars.

The presence of Mr. Gubitosi at Taoba is a sign of the great friendship and partnership between these two festivals. The Director of Taoba, Mr. Levan Dvali, and Mr. Gubitosi had several fruitful business meetings, they made agreements to strengthen the existing partnership between the two festivals and jointly promote Georgian and Italian cultures.

The partnership between Taoba and Giffoni is a major step in promoting cultural exchange and cooperation between Italy and Georgia, and it highlights the importance of film in fostering international understanding and friendship. It also provides a platform for young people to engage with different cultures and learn about the world through film.

We are excited to see the results of this partnership and the impact it will have on the festival and the wider community. We would like to thank Mr. Gubitosi for his visit to Taoba and we look forward to welcoming him and the children from Giffoni to our festival in the future.

With the support of the Embassy of Italy in Georgia, Instagram influencer, Youtuber, and food & travel blogger, Matteo Pelusi will be a special guest at the 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival, taking place from September 12th to 16th, 2022!

Matteo Pelusi is well-known for his engaging and informative approach to showcasing the beauty and culture of different places around the world. He will be holding a masterclass for the young audience of the festival, where he will share his insights and experiences about his work and passion. This masterclass is an opportunity for young people to learn from popular travel blogger and gain valuable insights into the world of social media and travel blogging.

In addition to his participation in the festival, the Georgian National Tourism Administration will be organizing a special tour for Matteo in the Kakheti region after the festival. This tour will allow him to discover the beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and delicious food of Georgia, and share his impressions and recommendations with his large following on social media.

We are excited to have Matteo Pelusi as a special guest of the festival and appreciate the support of the Embassy of Italy in Georgia and the Georgian National Tourism Administration in making this happen. This collaboration not only enriches the festival program but also helps to promote Georgia as a destination to a wider audience.

Stay tuned for more information about the festival. We look forward to welcoming Matteo and all of our guests to the 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival!

We are excited to announce the diverse line-up of participants for the upcoming 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival, taking place from September 12th to 16th, 2022!

This year, we will be welcoming young film enthusiasts and professionals from not only Georgia but also Armenia, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Finland, Estonia, and France. This truly international group of participants will bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the festival, making it a truly unique and enlightening event.

The festival’s mission is to support young people’s academic, cultural, and social development through films and provide a platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas. With young participants and film professionals from so many different countries and cultures, the festival will be an incredible opportunity for them to connect, learn from one another, and be exposed to new ideas and perspectives.

The festival will showcase 4 feature films and 20 short films, offering a diverse selection of stories and perspectives for our young audience to engage with. In addition, the festival’s strong educational program, which includes lectures, workshops, and masterclasses about films will provide our young audience with a unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals from various countries.

We are honored to have the support of esteemed organizations such as Tbilisi City Hall, the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Youth of Georgia, the Georgian National Film Centre, the Goethe Institute of Georgia, French Institute of Georgia, Embassy of Italy in Tbilisi, Georgian Public Broadcaster, Georgian National Tourism Administration, and Amirani Cinema, which has enabled us to bring together such a diverse group of young people and film professionals.

This year’s festival promises to be an exciting and meaningful experience for everyone involved. We look forward to welcoming our international participants and providing them with an unforgettable experience of learning, connecting, and engaging with films.

We are thrilled to announce the 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival, taking place from September 12th to 16th, 2022!

Founded in 2018 by the Culture and Education Foundation and the National Youth and Children’s Palace, Taoba is the only international youth film festival in Georgia dedicated to young audience development and the promotion of film education. Our mission is to support young people’s academic, cultural, and social development and stimulate dialogue on important social issues through films.

The festival is designed to empower young cinephiles, stimulate dialogue on important social issues, support talent, encourage reflection, and provide a platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas. This year, over 300 teenagers (ages 13-18) from 6 countries will participate in the festival on a daily basis. The festival will showcase 4 feature films and 20 short films, offering a diverse selection of stories and perspectives for our young audience to engage with.

One of the main highlights of the festival is its strong educational program, which includes lectures, workshops, and masterclasses about films. These sessions will be led by industry professionals, providing an opportunity for our young audience to learn more about the filmmaking process and gain valuable insights into the industry.

We are honored to have the support of esteemed organizations such as Tbilisi City Hall, the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Youth of Georgia, the Georgian National Film Centre, the Goethe Institute of Georgia, French Institute of Georgia, Embassy of Italy in Tbilisi, Georgian Public Broadcaster, Georgian National Tourism Administration, and Amirani Cinema. Their support allows us to put on a successful festival that not only provides entertainment, but also a meaningful educational experience for our young attendees.
We believe that film can be a powerful tool in shaping the perspectives and understanding of young people, and we are committed to providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and reflection through the medium of film. We are excited to welcome our young audience to the 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival, and we look forward to sharing this experience with them.

Please stay tuned for more information regarding the festival, including the official program. We hope to see you there!