Part of the cinematographers, demanding the freedom of Georgian cinema, declare a boycott against the Ministry of Culture and refuse to participate in the competitions and projects announced by the Film Center

Cinematographers, demanding the freedom of Georgian cinema, announce a boycott against the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia.

As noted in the statement of the cinematographers, they will not participate in the competitions and projects announced by the Film Center as a sign of protest.

"We, the cinematographers united for the freedom of Georgian cinema, who oppose the repressive policy of the Ministry of Culture, announce a boycott from August 2023!

As a sign of protest, we will no longer participate in the competitions and projects announced by the captured Film Center, we refuse to be a member of the competition commissions, because we do not want to become a formal participant in the process that leads to the destruction of modern Georgian cinema, culture and science.

From the very first day of the protest, we demand a systemic change - a change in the method of appointing the director of the Film Center! We believe that the director of the film center should be elected only through a transparent and public process, by representatives of the field, and not be appointed by the minister's sole decision. Only under the conditions of a democratically elected head, the Film Center will be able to ensure the freedom of speech, expression and creativity of Georgian filmmakers!

Independence to the Film Center! Art is alive, independent and political!

You can see the list of the first 200 signatories at the given link.

By using the attached form, people from any profession working in the field of cinema can join our position and fight for cultural freedom and independence. https://forms.gle/Y5tLaK68BanzcVLh6", reads the statement released by the cinematographers.

For information, on June 11, 2023, it became known that the Ministry of Culture appointed the former deputy head of the National Probation Agency, Koba Khubunia, as acting director of the Film Center, who abolished two posts of the deputy director of the Film Center and announced a reorganization of the center.