Update: a donation of 5,000 was received from the MWSF.HELP Foundation!
We're almost at our goal - please help us in our sprint to the finish line!!

Welcome!

We are a multicultural, multi-talented team of filmmakers and social activists working to create a professionally-produced documentary film showcasing the remarkable journey to the podium of the 2024 Paralympics by three young Georgian para-athletes pursuing their dreams in the face of adversity. Share their day-to-day victories and frustrations - their joy, hope, fears, and tears - as you are immersed in their story alongside them, thanks to our innovative approach to participative film-making, enabling our three protagonists to use their own smartphones to capture their journey under one creative direction, by means of the platform CrewStudio.

Why?

Our documentary is an intimate portrayal of three extraordinary women who have found resilience, courage and camaraderie through wheelchair fencing, even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is a testament to their determination, the determination that binds them, and the unwavering support of their families and community. Lastly, it is a compelling tale of overcoming disability, stigma and adversity to become world-class athletes as they compete to be the best in the world.

We believe Irma, Nina, and Gvantsa's stories deserve to be shared with the world. We want to capture their passion, their struggles, and their triumphs, creating a film that celebrates their extraordinary journey and motivates others to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

The film will not only showcase but support these three young women in the pursuit of their goals, and importantly, seeks to raise awareness around disabilities and inclusion in sports. It will inspire young people with disabilities around the world to aim high and pursue their goals with confidence. We hope to cultivate support and courage in places where people with disabilities struggle for equality.

What is the film about?

"The Three Musketeers of Georgia" is a documentary film chronicling the journey of Irma Khetsuriani, Nina Tibilashvili, and Gvantsa Zadishvili, three inspiring wheelchair fencers from Georgia, as they prepare for and compete in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. These women are not just athletes; they are symbols of courage and determination in overcoming adversity.

The film explores their personal stories, the challenges they've overcome, the determination that drives them, and their shared dream of reaching the Paralympic podium. 

Meet the Three Musketeers of Georgia:

Irma Khetsuriani

World # 2, Saber, B Category

The war stole Irma’s childhood. But it also gave her the bravery and perseverance to rise to become a wheelchair fencing champion, her story captured in the acclaimed documentary "Irma: I have a dream" , presented to public acclaim at the Mestia International Film Festival .  She's an inspiration to all who face adversity, proving that strength and resilience can emerge from even the darkest of times.

Nina Tibilashvili

World # 2, Saber, A Category

Nina knows what it means to “be different from everyone” since birth. Her difficult journey of self-discovery helped her hone strong traits that she shares with no one else. She loves life and refuses to acknowledge limitations, drawing from her creativity and willpower to become both designer and professional athlete.

Gvantsa Zadishvili

World # 7, Saber, A Category

During a routine visit to her doctor, the clash of sabers unexpectedly ignited a passion in Gvantsa's heart, leading her to a sport that would change her life. Faced with a difficult choice – regain her mobility or continue fencing – Gvantsa's unwavering dedication to her sport is a story of courage, commitment, and faith that her life has a greater purpose.

Our Commitment

This is a truly people-centred film; there will be no advertising or product placement, obvious or hidden. We are fully transparent and accountable to our donors as well as the women whose stories we are telling. Our production team invites your comments, suggestions and ideas at every step of the process - which we will also share through regular updates here and on our website .

Funding

We need your help to make this film a reality. We use innovative filmmaking techniques to empower the athletes themselves to capture their journey. In doing so, we are able to keep production costs low while ensuring an intimate and authentic portrayal of their Paralympic quest. Every pledge brings us closer to sharing their inspiring story with the world.

Total Budget Needed: 9,800 CHF

Production: 1,000 CHF

• While most footage is captured by the athletes themselves, some professional filming will be required at different moments in their journey.

Remote Creative Direction & Guidance: 2,000 CHF

• Fees for the filmmakers providing remote direction, feedback, and editing guidance.

Post-Production: 5,000 CHF

• Professional editing, color grading, and sound design to create a polished film.
• Music licensing and composition for an impactful soundtrack.

Impact Campaign & Outreach: 1,000 CHF

• Funds to create a compelling social media campaign, press kit, and outreach efforts to maximize the film's reach and impact.

Contingency & Miscellaneous: 800 CHF

• Unexpected costs, travel expenses for the filmmaker if needed, submission fees, etc.

The Production Team

Nora Romanovsky - behind this name stands a writer who believes that cinematography as a storytelling medium is about building bridges in a fractured world. Nora drives the narrative, creative direction and remote production of our film, working closely with Irma, Nina, and Gvantsa to capture their story as they experience it, moment by moment.

Peter Jerdev - doing photography since around 2012, mostly as a travel-time hobby capturing my companions and various places around the world, I was always prone to a documentalistic approach and tried to avoid set up scenes.

At the same time, I've always wanted to shoot and edit video as it seemed to be able to be more powerful in dealing with viewers' feelings with sound and music alongside the visual story. And somewhere along the way I started to make the same travel videos with my friends and companions.

I am a ski freeride guide in the winter and scuba divemaster in the summer - currently my workplace is in Georgia and Armenia.

I also act as an "in-house" photographer and videographer for the businesses I work with. Currently my main focus is shooting adventurous sports in difficult conditions, documenting people's feelings and struggles during the challenges they face going into the wild.

Nathan Reyes - in his career with the Red Cross, he has collaboratively designed and implemented projects that address needs and build resilience, facilitated medical evacuations, clarified the fate of missing persons, and driven the creation and funding of a small forensic NGO to carry on the search for the missing. Today, Nathan devotes his time to meaningful causes that raise awareness and empower youth.

Nathan supports this production with content writing and fundraising.

Dr. Maxim Artamonov - a Swiss entrepreneur and filmmaker with a passion for empowering youth, Maxim has dedicated his energy to fostering re-wilding initiatives in the Caucasus, preserving cultural and historical archives in Switzerland, bringing life-saving medical attention to children in Uganda, Ukraine, Georgia and Lebanon, and enabling access to sport and education in unprivileged communities. In his current role facilitating a north- and south-pole expedition around the globe, he has helped sponsor students from remote communities around the world to participate in a citizen’s science forum at the CERN.

Maxim is the creator, director and executive producer of this documentary film.