For the first time in the nearly 100-year history of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), a Georgian film professional will sit on its jury at the Venice International Film Festival. Besides his work as a journalist and an academic, Alexander Gabelia presides over the Georgian Film Critics and Scholars Association (GFCASA).

Gabelia’s nomination represents a landmark moment for Georgian film culture, underlining the recent recognition of FIPRESCI Georgia, the country’s first officially established national section of the federation, founded in November 2023. It thus constitutes a significant step forward in raising Georgia’s profile within the European and global film community.

Alongside Gabelia, the FIPRESCI jury in Venice will feature Isabelle Danel (France), Rita Di Santo (UK), Maria Sole Colombo (Italy), Giovanni Stiliano Messuti (Italy) and Marcelo Janot (Brazil). The jury will award two prestigious prizes: Best Film in the Main Competition and Best Film from the Parallel Sections.

Founded in Brussels in 1930, FIPRESCI is a global association that brings together critics, researchers and journalists from more than 50 countries, with the mission of promoting film culture and safeguarding the interests of its members.