was born on May 17, 1957 in Batumi. In 1979, he graduated from Tbilisi State University where he studied philology. In 1982, he finished his studies in filmmaking (under Tengiz Abuladze and Rezo Chkheidze) at Shota Rustaveli Theatrical Institute. From 1977 onward, he worked at Kartuli Filmi (Georgian Film Studio) first as an assistant to a director, and later as a director. From 1997 onward, he taught filmmaking at Batumi Art Institute. From 2006 onward, as a full professor at Shota Rustaveli State University, he was a member of the academic council and worked as a head of the Department of TV and Cinema Art. From 2007 onward, he was a manager of Ilia Chavchavadze Drama Theatre in Batumi. Zaza Khalvashi died on February 4, 2020.