Director Mikheil Gabaidze, right, from the Country of Georgia, and producers Elene Japharidze and Sophiko Komakhidze won the 2025 LAFCF short film award for “Vasomotor Rhinitis”. Courtesy image

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos

Do you know that warm, fuzzy feeling when you see the child of a friend achieve success? Recently, the Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival’s (LAFCF) Sandy Jones experienced that same feeling.

Mikheil Gabaidze, from the Country of Georgia is the director behind the winning 2025 LAFCF short film “Vasomotor Rhinitis”. Gabaidze used a portion of his Los Alamos winnings to attend the San Diego Film Festival, where he won three additional awards. Gabaidze, along with one of his two producers, Elene Japharidze and Sophiko Komakhidze appeared on local television in Georgia to share the story of their experience.

During a stay in New York, Gabaidze had the opportunity to display the  Los Alamos Award on two additional live television interviews.

Gabaidze told Jones, “Your festival gave me money as a prize. I traveled with this plate to the San Diego Festival where they awarded me 3 prizes.”

He then thanked her and her wonderful festival, saying he hopes to meet her one day in person. While not particularly Jones’ moment, it had an impact on her that she said she will never be forgotten.

“It’s wonderful to know that our very small film festival helped a talented filmmaker like Mikeil to get recognition,” said Jones, executive director of the LAFCF. “He has really treasured the award that Richard Ronquillo made. The LAFCF non-profit is just one of many programs that will benefit from the Tuesday, Dec. 2 giving campaign, but one that in only two years has inspired people in several countries.”

The 2025 Award, created by Richard Ronquillo. Courtesy photo

LAFCF will use donations to continue the program, operation, and awards for the April event in 2026. The program has no paid staff and is volunteer-led and run. They see every financial donor as an involved volunteer and every volunteer as a benefit to achieve their financial outlook.

“We love film and believe in the art and importance of film,” Jones said. “Los Alamos Gives is a wonderful reminder of the importance of personal giving and of how each of us can make a huge impact even with small gifts. I am thankful for the existence of this important initiative.”

The local non-profit event hosts an annual weekend where regular people get to have a shared experience viewing films made across the United States and the world, right here at the SALA Event Center.

You can learn more about Giving Tuesday and help small non-profits like the Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival by visiting the Los Alamos Gives website at www.losalamosgives.org.