Admissions to the Film and TV faculty at Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University began in 1972 with a discipline in film studies. Two years later, two additional groups specializing in film directing were added. It was in 1974 that the Film and TV Faculty was established based on these three groups. The initiators of the faculty establishment were the rector of the university at that time, professor Eter Gugushvili, Ph.D., Vice-Rector Vasil Kiknadze, Ph.D., director of the Georgian Film studio, film director Rezo Chkheidze and director Tengiz Abuladze.
During the period of its formation, in 1972-1980, the Film and TV Faculty was supervised by Professor Olgha Tabukashvili, Ph.D., and in 1980 a film specialist Gogi Dolidze, Ph.D., was appointed as the dean. There were two departments on the faculty at that time: Film Art – Head of the Department, Director, Professor Rezo Chkheidze and Head of Film Studies Department, Professor Olga (Lala) Tabukashvili Olidze, Ph.D. Later, the Department of TV Art was added – The head of the department, Professor Zviad Dolidze, Ph.D.
From the 1980s to 2004, the faculty had fictional, documentary, animation, TV directing, sound directing, film-TV operator, and cinematography teaching programs.
Since 2004, the film studies direction was separated from the Film and TV Faculty and joined the Art Sciences, Media, and Management Faculty.
Over the years, directors have been teaching at the Film and TV Faculty: Lana Ghoghoberidze, Eldar Shengelaia, Giorgi Shengelaia, Otar Ioseliani, Irakli Kvirikadze, Gia Chubabria, Ioseb Chkhaidze, Ramaz Khotivari, Gela Kandelaki, Rezo Esadze, Levan Zakareishvili, Omar Gvasalia, Buba Khotivari, and others; Film Critics: Gogi Dolidze, Olga Tabikashvili, Irina Kutchukhidze, Natia Amirejibi, Eter Okujava, Lela Ochiauri, Gogi Gvakharia, screenwriter Erlom Akhvlediani, Davit Agiashvili; Cinematographers: Levan Paatashvili, Gia Gersamia, Aleksandre Mghebrishvili, Irakli Onoprishvili, Mikheil Mednikov, Nugzar Nozadze, sound director Gari Kuntsiev and others.
Due to the efforts of Professor Gogi Dolidze, in August 1988, the society working under the auspices of UNESCO "CILECT" (The International Association of Film and Television Schools - Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision) accepted the Georgian Film School as an associate member, and in 1990 as a full member, which enabled students and professors of the faculty to establish active cooperation with film schools worldwide.
1993-2004 The vice-rector of the Film and TV department was Professor Gogi Dolidze – Film Critic, Ph.D.
The Deans of the Film and TV Faculty were:
1993-1997 Zurab Managadze – Film Critic, Ph.D.
1997-2000 Giorgi Ghvaladze – Film Critic, Ph.D.
2000-2003 Neli Germesashvili – Film Critic
2003-2006 Maia Levanidze – Film Critic, Associate Professor, Ph.D.
2006-2014 Dato Janelidze – Film Director, Professor
2014-2022 Otar Litanishvili – Film Director, Associate Professor
The head of the Quality Assurance Office from 2007-2021 was Tinatin Tchabukiani – Film Director, Ph.D.
In 2003-2004, an educational film studio was established at the university, based on the faculty, the head - Zurab Ortavidze.
In 2020, the educational television "TAFU.TV" was established, the head - TV director, Professor Alexander (Sandro) Vakhtangov, Ph.D.
Famous directors studied at the Film and TV Faculty: Temur Babluani, Nana Jorjadze, Aleko Tsabadze, Dito Tsintsadze, Tato Kotetishvili, Levan Tutberidze, Davit Janelidze, Davit Sikharulidze, Davit Takaishvili, Lado Sulakvelidze, Zaza Urushadze, Giorgi Ovashvili, Zaza Khalvashi, Keti Matchavariani, Rusudan Pirveli, Margo Zubashvili, and others. Cinematographers: Giorgi Beridze, Giorgi Shvelidze, Goga Devdariani, and others.
During the existence of Film and TV Faculty, many students' works have won significant prizes at local and international film festivals.
Currently, the following professors are teaching at Film and TV Faculty: Davit Janelidze, Aleksandre Vakhtangov, Merab Urushadze; Associate Professors: Levan Tutberidze, Vazha Zubashvili, Lado Sulakvelidze, Dato (Teimuraz) Sikharulidze, Otar Litanishvili, Mikheil Maghalashvili, Davit Gujabidze, Giorgi Kharebava, Ketevan Nozadze, and others.
Various local and international projects (summer and winter film schools), as well as master classes and workshops in which students actively participate, are still being implemented by the Film and TV Faculty.
Tbilisi International Student Film Festival "Amirani" has been held since 2017, and the "Golden Palm" annual film award since 2019.
Since 2023, the Dean of the Film and TV Faculty: Davit Janelidze, full professor, film director.
Since 2022, the head of the quality assurance office has been Maya Levanidze, film critic, assoc. Professor, Ph.D.