Georgian filmmaker Levan Koguashvili is set to debut his latest feature, Guria, at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2026. The black-and-white tragicomedy has also been designated as Georgia’s official submission for the 99th Academy Awards, positioning the film as a central piece of the country’s international awards strategy ahead of its premiere in the Venice Spotlight section.
The film is one of only eight auteur works selected for the specialized Venice Spotlight program. Set in Western Georgia during the 1990s, the narrative explores a period of post-Soviet transition through the eyes of Zuriko, a 45-year-old widowed hazelnut farmer portrayed by Kakhaber Tcholadze. The screenplay, co-written by Koguashvili alongside Boris Frumin and Giorgi Kekelidze, is an adaptation of Kekelidze’s Gurian Diaries, a popular book known for capturing the distinct humor and linguistic character of the Guria region.
A Portrayal of Post-Soviet Survival
The story follows Zuriko as he navigates the economic and social collapse of the 1990s, a decade defined by civil unrest and the struggle for subsistence in rural Georgia. The plot specifically centers on Zuriko’s interactions with Italian hazelnut buyers, whose arrival brings the promise of income but also highlights the regional exploitation common during the era. According to production reports, the choice of black-and-white cinematography was intended to reflect the somber yet resilient atmosphere of the 1990s Gurian landscape.
Koguashvili, who previously gained international recognition for Brighton 4th—which won multiple awards at the Tribeca Film Festival—continues his focus on the intersection of personal tragedy and deadpan comedy. Guria functions as a tragicomedy that leans into the idiosyncratic cultural traits of Western Georgians, often characterized by their fast-paced speech and sharp wit.
The film represents an extensive international collaboration, produced through a partnership involving seven countries: Georgia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Turkey, Norway, and Saudi Arabia. This multi-national backing underscores the growing profile of Georgian cinema on the global stage. FilmNewEurope reports that Loco Films has secured the international sales rights for the feature, which will begin its market rollout following the Venice screening.
As Georgia’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, the film enters the 2027 Oscar race with significant momentum. The Georgian National Film Center’s early selection reflects the high expectations for the project, which seeks to replicate the success of previous Georgian entries that have found favor with festival juries and academy voters alike.
