Georgian Cinema Now Symposium—Activism in Authoritarian Times: The Republic of Georgia as a Case Study
About
Free and open to the public, this symposium offers an invaluable introduction to the current political and cultural context in the Republic of Georgia. Guest speakers will offer a range of perspectives, from analyzing the political situation under the current Georgian Dream government to sharing experiences from the field as activists on the frontlines fighting for civil liberties, especially freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights. We will hear from journalists, media commentators, cultural historians, teachers, and independent filmmakers on the challenges and threats they face as a result of the Georgian government's introduction of the Foreign Agent Law—censorship, arrests, trials, and imprisonment—and parallels with broader global threats to democracy. The symposium will feature two panels, "Modern Georgia's Political History" and "Reports from the Field by Georgian Independent Filmmakers." In between, we will screen two recent documentaries on the impact of the current authoritarian
