British Council in Georgia and Ukraine, Royal Court Theatre, Tumanishvili Theatre Foundation and Marjanishvili Theatre along with the Ukrainian partners, organised a 6-day residency/workshop on 8-13 May 2011 as part of  “The New Writing” Project, which aims at development of new plays for new audiences in Tbilisi, Kyiv and London.

Workshop 1 in Tbilisi was designed for emerging Georgian and Ukrainian writers. On 3-10 December 2011 Workshop in Kyiv will host work on draft 2 plus readings of the plays. Best selected plays will be produced at the Marjanishvili Theatre and at the Royal Court Theatre.

The aim of the workshop is to explore the subjects and issues which writers are interested in, which they feel are urgent and which need to be addressed in our society today.

The workshop led by the Royal Court representatives include group sessions as well as individual meetings. As part of the workshop, the writers will be required to outline their idea for a new play they would like to write with support of the RCT.

As part of the NWNA project and in Partnership with the Tbilisi International Theatre Festival we have recently supported the Theatre Ad Infinitum and the play ODYSSEY where the Festival audience had a chance to enjoy a really marvelous performance at the Music and Drama Theatre on 19 September 2011.

Theatre Ad Infinitum reinvents the timeless Greek myth which is performed by one actor, in one hour and is one man's epic quest to reunite with his family and seek his bloody revenge. Its passionate, highly physical, and poignant storytelling brings about this breathtaking adventure to life which truly was a journey that ignited the audiences' imagination and awakened the senses.

The British Council has supported the Batumi International Art House Film Festival by bringing films into the competition as well as screening. The films presented included 'Never Let me Go' by Mark Romanek (for the Feature Films Competition section), 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' by Banksy and 'Pink Saris' by Kim Longinotto (for the Documentary Films Competition), 'Connect' by Samuel Abrahams (for the Short Films Competition), and 'Another Year' by Mike Leigh (for Screening in Master's Collection section).

The British Council has also supported Jonathan Olsberg’s, CEO of Olsberg/SPI, visit to the BIAFF, who recently made a presentation at the industry meeting as part of BIAFF's professional development and networking activities, on the importance of establishment of a local “Film Commission” or ”Film Fund.” The importance of promoting Batumi as a shooting location in order to facilitate cinema industry development in regions of Georgia was also stressed. The presentation was followed by lively discussions.

‘Connect’, by Samuel Abrahams got a prize  for the nomination the Best Short Film and ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’, by Banksy  got the Jury’s Special Prize