I'm a self-taught editor and mostly work from home as a freelancer. I have never participated in this type of program and I had a fantastic experience. Not only have I met people who are already professionals and learned a lot from them, I also became friends with them and have kept in touch since.

Please keep this program alive! This is not only important for us as filmmakers, but also very important for the people who live in Georgia itself. I had a lot of experiences meeting locals there, especially children, who were very interested in what we were doing. As a Georgian, I’m particularly aware that there is a serious lack of programs like Caucasus Cinema. The new generations, especially outside of Tbilisi, do not have a chance to get valuable information about filmmaking. I believe that this program is a great way to motivating them to be more engaged with this profession.

— Sesilia Turdziladze, Georgia

Caucasus Cinema was one of the most memorable and challenging experience I ever had. I had a chance to work with amazing and talented people from around the world and i learned from them a lot. At the end of it one group of unknown people became one family which made me think that I don't wanna miss any Caucasus Cinema that will take place for future.

— Salome Akhaladze, Georgia

I just found, among y'all, a perfect opportunity to be myself and create all day, safe as a kitten. I came home a million times stronger than when i left. I guess I owe some of that to the spirit of the locations too.

— Josip Visković, Croatia

Caucasus Cinema is a deeply rewarding experience. It is an opportunity to collaborate with artists from all over the world that are passionate, curious, and driven to make new work. Caucasus Cinema is an abundant opportunity to challenge yourself as an artist. One of the most valuable experiences of my life and career!

— Caiti Lattimer, USA

I had a wonderful time. I met incredible artists from Georgia and other countries and I was fascinated to see them work, to work with them and to create long lasting friendships and collaborations. I also met wonderful people during my shootings and I was always welcomed with open arms. The cultural centers that hosted us were a real discovery as well and I was touched by their hospitality. 

Every member of the group was extremely motivated and the Caucasus cinema staff was always happy to help, therefore, each week, ambitious films were successfully made within a few days and with few resources. Overall, I was impressed by the constant friendly vibe that brought everyone together during 5 very intense weeks.

— Coralie Hina Gourdon, France

Caucuses Cinema was really a spectacular artistic endeavour and a brilliant feat of organisation. It was an incredible experience to be making work with such seriously dedicated creators & filmmakers somewhere so beautiful and culturally rich, thank you so much!

— William Welsh, United Kingdom

The trip was one of the best things I have ever done. I learnt so much about filmmaking, both from making more films than I ever have done before, and from the talented and passionate other participants. I also learnt a lot about myself, I grew massively as each participant is trusted and given independence. The maturity of the films speaks for the program.

I strongly feel that the program allowed all of us to take creative risks, especially highlighting new voices who hadn't had the opportunity to work with other filmmakers or direct their own film before.
         

— Nat Rowbotham, United Kingdom

The first edition of Caucasus Cinema was my first time in Georgia. Before that, I knew a few things, saw some pictures/videos about the country and knew some Georgians, whom I met in other countries. So, I had an image in my mind that this must be an interesting country, which worth to be there. It was enough to apply and go there. And I would have been satisfied, if I would get ‘only’ that: an interesting country with nice and interesting people.

But I – or I can say: we – got much more.

We were in different cities/villages, with different landscapes, but in details we could get more particular places, as we explored the city and found locations for our short movies; places that we never expected to reach and we could make activities that we never expected; and by now – thanks this program – these places and activities are our good memories forever.

In a specified program, as Caucasus Cinema, for a filmmaker it is quite important to connect with the locals, because by them, a filmmaker can get the story, have good locations, spend time in a more effective way: in sum, can make a better film, much easier. If we watch only the movies made in Caucasus Cinema, we can catch this local taste, the culture, the locals’ help in every minute. Which means that the organizers made a well done production background to our films. And it also means that we, filmmakers are filled with more of Georgian culture, landscapes, human connections etc. which we could present to the world via our films.

It was an intense 5 weeks, and in terms of amount of experiences I felt twice, three times as much. It was not only about filmmaking, but it was a much more complex adventure. The company, the filmmaker-mates were also well-chosen: all of us made not only the director role in own the movies, but also helped to each other on different fields of work. In this way the filmmaking is more fun, more exciting and enjoyable.

By the end of the program I felt that we are not only filmmakers who know each other, but we became a real community. A community which have fun together and make good quality movies. Both are important and I think we did it in a good balance.

To make short movies within such a short time (actually in 3-4 days), week by week, in this quality, a good organization is necessary. Despite of it was the very first Caucasus Cinema, the organization was such flexible, helpful and efficient, that we, the filmmakers could live and work together in a human way. And thanks to this we got possibility – time, location, people, equipment etc. – to make movies, which – for a filmmaker – is almost everything.

For me Caucasus Cinema in one word: Inspiration (or: to be inspired), and it lasts even after that five weeks.
       

— Peter Vadocz, Hungary

I got to know new international colleagues and already friends! Also, I had opportunities to explore deeply my favorite topics in different regions of Georgia, also I had experience to be DOP, which about I was thinking before, rather than working as boomer & an actress. It was most different kind of experience in one project in my life.          

— Ana Barjadze, Georgia

My experience at CC was exhilarating and I am happy for the friends and connections I have made. It pushed me to to the limits of my filmmaking and gave me chances to learn from my mistakes as an actor, director and editor. I became further motivated to pursue my talents and meet like-minded people. I was pleasantly surprised with the camaraderie and warmth of the staff. I felt ready to work in miniature film sets and was encouraged by the quality of the films in the screening.

— Nick Beaumont, United Kingdom

I learned more than in university.

— Gabriel Khotivari, Georgia