Successful debut: Georgia’s Oscar bid wins international award

Georgia’s pick for the 2016 Academy Awards Foreign Language film has gained international recognition after the film won a prestigious prize at the San Sebastian International Film Festival.

The Festival saw Moira, a feature piece by Levan Tutberidze, be awarded the SIGNIS Award, the films very first international award.

SIGNIS is a non-governmental organisation that includes members from 140 countries. As the 'World Catholic Association for Communication', it brings together radio, television, cinema, video, media education, internet and new technology professionals. The organisation was presented by the special jury at the festival.

Moira, a production by Georgia’s Cinetech Film, premiered at the Festival on September 23 and continued to be shown at the Spanish event for two more days. By the time the Festival program concluded, the film was hosted by three different cinema venues.

The film’s plot centres around a man who, having been recently released from prison, attempts to rescue his family from poverty by buying a small fishing boat, pinning his hopes that it will bring him a better fortune. Tutberidze noted the similarity of the film’s plot to social conditions in Georgia during his youth.

Meanwhile earlier this month Moira was chosen as the country’s bid for the next year’s Oscars by a special committee comprised of film industry representatives and experts.

The film still faces further review by Academy judges before it could be accepted as a contest nominee.