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Levan KoguashviliGeorgian film director and screenwriter
Date of Birth: 18.03.1973
Country:  Georgia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career Beginnings
- Return to Georgia and Feature Films
- Recognition and Awards
- Filmography
Early Life and Education
Georgian film director and screenwriter Levan Koguashvili was born on March 18, 1973, in Tbilisi, Georgia. After attending the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film University for a year, he worked as a reporter and editor for Independent Russian Television during the war in Georgia. This experience inspired him to pursue filmmaking.
Advising by director Eldar Shengelaia, Koguashvili enrolled as an auditor at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow, later becoming an official student in Marlen Khutsiev's workshop.
Career Beginnings
Following his studies at VGIK, Koguashvili returned to Tbilisi, where he directed commercials, television programs, and short films. In 2002, he enrolled in the graduate program at the New York Film Academy.
In New York, Koguashvili made several short films that explored the lives of his fellow Georgians adjusting to life in a foreign country. His short film "Debt" depicted the experiences of illegal Georgian immigrants in Brooklyn and was selected for the Sundance Film Festival. His documentary "Georgian Women" focused on the stories of mothers, wives, and sisters who left their homeland to support their loved ones.
Return to Georgia and Feature Films
In 2008, Koguashvili returned to Georgia and directed the documentary "Women from Georgia," which screened at the Margaret Mead Film Festival in Batumi in 2009. In 2010, he made his feature film debut with "Days of the City" (also known as "Walkers"), which competed at the 39th International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Recognition and Awards
Koguashvili's films have received numerous awards, including:Special Jury Mention for "Women from Georgia" at the Batumi International Art-House Film Festival (2009)
Golden Lily Grand Prix for "Days of the City" at the GoEast Film Festival (2010)
Jury of Critics' Tolerance Prize for "Days of the City" at the Palić Film Festival (2010)
Special Jury Prize for "Blind Dates" at the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival (2013)
Best Director Award for "Blind Dates" at the GoEast Film Festival (2014)
Best Film Award for "Blind Dates" at the Odessa International Film Festival (2014)
Golden Olive Tree Grand Prize for "Blind Dates" at the European Film Festival of Lecce (2014)
Special Award for "Gogita's New Life" at the Docudays UA International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival (2017)
Filmography
Director:2005: A Small Theater in Washington
2006: Debt
2008: Women from Georgia
2010: Days of the City (Walkers)
2013: Blind Dates
2014: Like Father Like Son
2016: Gogita's New Life
Screenwriter:
2005: A Small Theater in Washington
2006: Debt
2008: Women from Georgia
2009: Days of the City (Walkers)
2013: Blind Dates
2016: Gogita's New Life
