Chai Docs launched in 2025 within the visual storytelling platform Chai Khana. Its goal is to support creative documentary filmmaking in the South Caucasus.

For over a decade, Chai Khana has covered key events in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from a unique perspective. It has become a space of coexistence for hundreds of journalists, photographers, and documentarians — a platform where stories shaping the region’s future come together.

While Chai Khana has worked across various mediums, documentary film has become its defining format, gradually shaping its identity. This led us to create Chai Docs — to further expand and enrich the documentary landscape. Through this initiative, we produce both short and feature-length documentaries, collaborate with filmmakers, and capture the evolving realities of the South Caucasus. Alongside production, Chai Docs also focuses on digital and festival distribution.

In an era where free media is under constant threat and daily life is overwhelmed by an endless stream of information, where the line between real and fake news is increasingly blurred, documentary film offers a rare opportunity to step back, reflect, and understand.

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Bakhmaro 2050

Director: Anka Gujabidze 

This film is dedicated to preserving the nature, air, and spirit of Bakhmaro.

* The film received a Special Mention from the jury in the short documentary competition at the 2024 Tbilisi International Film Festival.

Father, developed

Director: Elene Burtchuladze

After she discovers canisters of  undeveloped film shot by her late father, Elene sets out on a journey to collaborate with him on a special project.

Following its success in Georgia, the film was also selected for the Short Film Corner | Rendez-vous Industry, a professional program that took place in Cannes from May 18–21. Organized as part of Cinéma de Demain, this platform supports short film professionals by offering access to industry events, curated meetings, and networking opportunities. 

A village sacrificed for manganese

Authors: Mariam Nikuradze, Davit Tamazashvili

The village of Shukruti, like other villages in Georgia’s Chiatura region, is dying—slowly disappearing due to manganese mining beneath it. Mining has damaged homes, and in some cases, caused their complete collapse. For the past five years, the villagers have protested these harsh conditions, yet the local and central authorities continue to ignore them.

*The film was longlisted for the One World Media Award in the short documentary category, alongside 10 outstanding works from outlets such as The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Financial Times, CBC Docs, and other leading names in media.

It also earned Mariam Nikuradze and Davit Tamazashvili the EU Prize for Journalism in the Best Feature Story in Broadcast or Online Media category.

A friend in prison; me next to the prison

Director: Mari Gulbiani 

A solitary protest outside a prison becomes a symbol of freedom, justice, and solidarity