Supporting Role (Georgian: მეორეხარისხოვანი როლი) is a 2026 drama film written, and directed by Ana Urushadze. A co-production between Georgia, Estonia, and Turkey, the film follows a retired Georgian film star, used to playing heroic leads, embarks on a cathartic odyssey after being offered a supporting role of an unpleasant elderly man.
The film had its world premiere at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam in Tiger Competition on 3 February 2026, where it won Special Jury and FIPRESCI Awards.
It held its International premiere at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival on 19 August 2026, screening in the Competition Programme – Feature Film, and competed for the Heart of Sarajevo award.
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Synopsis
Niaz Ninua was once a famous actor, but his career faded after he left films 15 years ago. When he finally tries to come back, he realizes the industry has moved on without him. He goes to an audition for a small part in a young woman's first film. The experience hurts his ego, and he walks out annoyed, calling the role pretentious and insisting that the old, unattractive character has nothing to do with him. But later, as he thinks about the meeting, he starts to feel strangely drawn to the very role he rejected. What first seemed beneath him begins to show unexpected depth.
Cast
Dato Bakhtadze as Niaz
Nata Murvanidze
Elene Maisuradze
Irakli Kvirikadze
Zurab Sturua
Eka Demetradze
Sandro Samkharadze
Nino Kasradze
Davit Dvalishvili
Lasha Mebuke
Murman Jinoria
Production
The film was in post-production in September 2024.
Release
Supporting Role had its world premiere at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam on 3 February 2026, in Tiger competition section. Subsequently, in mid April it competed for Tiantan Award at the 16th Beijing International Film Festival, where it won Tiantan Best Music Award.
It had its International Premiere at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, where it competed for Heart of Sarajevo award in the Competition Programme - Feature Film in August 2026.
It will also be presented in the 'Create' section of the 2026 BFI London Film Festival on 7 October 2026.
Reception
Vladan Petkovic of Cineuropa reviewing the film at IFFR's Tiger Competition, praised it as a richly textured existential drama, highlighting Ana Urushadze's assured direction and Dato Bakhtadze's performance as the film's greatest strength. Petkovic observed that Urushadze and Bakhtadze together created a work of "striking richness," blending surrealism with everyday reality while developing a distinctive rhythm that rewards repeat viewings. Petkovic described the film as filled with quirky, dreamlike episodes, yet praised the director's "rock-solid" vision and confident filmmaking. He further highlighted Rein Kotov's sepia-toned cinematography and Sten Sheripov's playful jazz-influenced score for reinforcing the film's tragicomic atmosphere. Although he acknowledged that the narrative "may prove elusive for some audiences," he concluded that its exploration of identity and self-perception remains widely relatable, calling it "a rare film that's equally open to interpretation yet very direct in its message."
Accolades
The film was shortlisted for a nomination at the 39th European Film Awards in the Feature Film category.