The Cinema Art Centre “Prometheus” was founded in 2002 by a group of like-minded intellectuals (Gaga Chkheidze, Nino Anjapharidze, Lasha Bakradze, David Bukhridze, Besik Danelia, Giorgi Kajrishvili, Guga Kotetishvili and Gaga Lomidze). The main aim of the centre among others has been to support running of the annual Tbilisi International Film Festival which was first held in 2000 within the frameworks of the Gift Art Festival. In the initial years the Gift Festival had numerous sponsors and supporetrs and consequently its program was varied and interesting. In 2002 the Gift Festival faced the threat of closure hence the Cinema Art Centre “Prometheus” held Tbilisi Intrenational Film Festival on its own with scant resources.

“Prometheus” attratceted the attention of the state agencies over the years. In 2004 Tbilisi Intrenational Film Festival was cofunded by the Georgian National Film Center with other private sponsors. In succeeding years Tbilisi Municipality and Ministery of Culture joined the Film Center in funding the Festival.