Kutaisi, the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Georgia, boasts a diverse historical and cultural heritage. From dinosaur footprints to the mythical tales of the Argonauts, alongside UNESCO-protected architectural monuments, Kutaisi's significance as the ancient capital of Georgia for centuries is undeniable. Furthermore, it holds a 116-year-old tradition in filmmaking.

The Kutaisi International Short Film Festival aims to bring cinema back to Kutaisi, reviving cultural life in the region and establishing an annual celebration of cinema. Focused on short films, the festival aims to discover and showcase new talents and voices in the film industry. It also seeks to underscore the importance and value of short films, to reignite public interest in this art form.

Scheduled for October 4-10, the upcoming edition will feature various events, including lectures, masterclasses, and workshops, providing educational opportunities and skill development within the film community. In addition, the festival includes side events such as concerts and outdoor screenings, creating a dynamic and immersive experience for both attendees and the entire city of Kutaisi.

By leveraging Kutaisi's rich historical and cultural background, the festival adds a unique dimension to its offerings. Its commitment to bringing cinema back to the city underscores its importance in revitalizing cultural life and promoting artistic expression.

Awards & Prizes

In the Main International Competition The Kutaisi International Short Film Festival will recognize excellence in three categories:

Best Film,
Best Director
Best Cinematographer.

Winners in each category will be honoured with the prestigious Golden Dinosaur prizes.

Independent Film Critics' Jury:
An independent film critics' jury will choose their favourite short film from the festival and award the winner with a prize, named after Mikheil Kobakhidze.

Rules & Terms

By submitting your film, you agree that the Kutaisi International Short Film Festival can use parts of your film (including the trailer/teaser/film poster) for promotional purposes.

To submit a film, you must have created the project yourself, own the rights, or have permission from the content owner to submit the film to us.

PLEASE READ THE RULES BELOW THOROUGHLY BEFORE SUBMITTING:

1. All entries must come with English subtitles.

2. No animations.

3. All entries must have been completed AFTER July 1, 2023.

4. You must own or be given all rights to anything you submit to the festival.

5. The submitting materials length for both Short Fiction and Short Documentary films is 10 to 35 minutes.

6. Selected films will be announced on August 15, and submitters will be notified.

Kutaisi International Short Film Festival AWARDS will review films in their entirety. Films will be watched and reviewed by members of the Selection Committee: a professional group of filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and critics. Films are scored accordingly.

Please also note that the fee paid for submitting the film to the Festival does not guarantee its selection. The fee is non-refundable if the film is not selected.
7 Reviews
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  • Rimantas Oičenka

    Wonderful, friendly and proffesional festival team. It was a pleasure to be a part of KIFF 2023!

    November 2023
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  • Kazuhiro Kiuchi

    Beautiful nature, beautiful city, beautiful film festival and beautiful mind in Kutaisi. Doomo Arigato Gozaimashita! Thank you so much,

    May 2021
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  • Elena Tsagareishvili

    It was great! Everything was wonderful! People are there very friendly! They received us as kings! Beautiful hotel over the river, everyday fantastic restaurants with many and many delicious meals! Beautiful old town with the big theatre where there was opening and closing ceremony. Besides main competitions we could see interesting programs of French, Georgian, Chinese cinema and so on.

    May 2021
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  • Giorgi Janjghava

    It is a very interesting and good festival

    May 2021
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  • Tiniko Nadirashvili

    A great festival with an amazing lineup in a prosperous city <3 The staff are just the coolest

    May 2021
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