The film "Side Role," produced with Estonian collaboration and directed by Georgian filmmaker Ana Urushadze, received the jury's special prize and the international film critics' award at the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Ivo Felt, the producer, expressed optimism about the film's reception based on initial feedback and noted that it has been well-received overall. The film tells the story of an aging self-absorbed film star whose world is disrupted when a young female director offers him a modest supporting role in her debut film.

This award marks a significant achievement for film collaborations between Estonia and Georgia, showcasing the potential for positive critical recognition in international film circles. "Side Role" is Urushadze's second collaboration with Estonian partners, following her debut film "Dangerous Mother," which also garnered international festival attention. With its unique narrative highlighting relationships in the film industry, the project seems poised to attract further interest and potentially more accolades.

Felt emphasized the importance of the film's reception, noting that its quality and the positive feedback from critics and audiences alike underscore the complexity and effort involved in its production. The film's success at an esteemed festival like Rotterdam not only boosts its visibility but possibly paves the way for similar future projects among collaborating countries, elevating the status of Estonian cinema on the global stage.