Shinagani gazapkhulebis q’vaviloba

It’s 2024. Tens of thousands protest on the streets of Tbilisi against the so-called “Foreign Agents” law. The previous year, pressure from the street made the government withdraw its draft law. Now it’s back on the agenda. Tina, Luka and director Tiku Kobiashvili and their friends are in the thick of it, but they don’t see themselves as belonging to clear camps. They’re shaping their futures for themselves instead, trying to find out who they are and what they can do.

Tina and Luka are studying acting and fighting the dos and don’ts of the profession: the more standardised you look, the more opportunities you have. Who do I want to be? Who are we? The camera, that “strange animal” forms part of this intimate friendship. Tiku isn’t an observer, but rather a friend and part of things when the group’s boisterous games show how tightly knit the group is. If anyone from the circle is arrested at a demo, she’s supposed to film it. The friends share an approach to life whose political nature stems from prioritising being there for each other and avoiding creating leaders even in the midst of protest. Together, they gather courage for what is coming. As fire they burn. (Christiane Büchner)

Tiku Kobiashvili, 22 years old, is a photographer, film student, and filmmaker. She holds a bachelor of Audio-Visual Arts from the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. She is currently training as a camera technician and assistant camera operator, and aspires to build a career as a cinematographer in the future.

Director Tiku Kobiashvili. Cinematography Tiku Kobiashvili. Editing Tiku Kobiashvili. Music Nika Kharaishvili, Teo Kelberashvili. With Tina Matchavariani, Luka Chibukhaia, Tamar Tavartkiladze, Lazare Eliozashvili, Tamara Kalabegashvili, Nina Kipshidze, Giorgi Gelashvili, Anuki Sharia.

Films: 2021: Saq’inule / The Icebound (short film). 2022: Zenitis Ambebi / Stories of Zenit (short film). 2023: Skhivi Cdomili / Ignis Fatuus (short film). 2025: Shinagani gazapkhulebis q’vaviloba / Inner Blooming Springs.