In september 2009 Jos Stelling's oeuvre was awarded with a Life Time Achievement Award to World Cinema at the Batumi International Art-house Film Festival (Georgia). Before him Krzystof Zannusi and Andrzej Wajda were granted this award in 2007 & 2008.

Stelling had been invited to be present at the festival (21 - 27 September) to head the jury. While performing this task he received his award. His film Duska (2008) was the opening film of the festival.

“When we decided to invite him as head of the jury, it was decided also that we will give him the prize - Lifetime Achievement Award to World Cinema. We were very glad that he accepted the offer to head the jury and of course as it was confirmed finally that he was coming, BIAFF management decided to take chance of this opportunity and to award him by this prize.” (Zviad Eliziani, Marketing Manager BIAFF)