DREFF Commences Screening Tour of Environment Documentary, Bag it Across the Country

Santo Domingo, January 22 2013

As part of the follow up to the II Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), second edition, which took place this past September, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), in partnership with its sister institution in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracy and Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), has organized four screenings of the documentary film Bag it, followed by discussion sessions with its director, Suzan Beraza. The program will serve to highlight local initiatives that serve to address one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the Dominican Republic today -- the safe and effective disposal of solid waste.

The first screening will take place January 23 at the Aida Cartagena Portalatin School in Santo Domingo, in collaboration with Fundacion ZURZA, followed by subsequent screenings at the Centro Cultural Perello in Bani on the 24th, La Caleta National Park on the 25th, and concluding with a screening at Santa Barbara de Samana’s City Hall on January 26th.

Invited speakers will join Suzan Beraza after each screening to discuss the ever increasing problem of waste management and to highlight best environmental practices and local initiatives being carried through recycling and community clean-up programs. 

The screening tour aims to increase the awareness of the plastic pollution problem in the country and motivate the public to adopt the 3R principles of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

About the film:

Synopsis: An average guy makes a resolution to stop using plastic bags at the grocery store. Little does he know that this simple decision will change his life completely. He comes to the conclusion that our consumptive use of plastic has finally caught up to us, and looks at what we can do about it. Today. Right now.

Director’s Biography: Born in Jamaica and raised in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Suzan Beraza's thought-provoking films challenge viewers to examine their lives and consider the impact of their choices. Her films have appeared on national public television in the United States, and at many festivals, winning top awards at World fest, Montreal Film Festival, and Mountain film in Telluride, among others. Previous films include Life’s A Beach, American Outrage, Blue Planet Run, Water, A Clear Solution and Troubled Waters: The Dilemma of Dams.

About Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival

DREFF raises awareness and deepens understanding of environmental issues among Dominican audiences, while celebrating the beauty and diversity of the country’s natural heritage. Through screening a diverse selection of high-quality films on matters of environmental concern, and organizing panel discussions with environmental experts, filmmakers and other stakeholders, the Festival seeks to foster dialogue and to inspire Dominican audiences to adopt practices that will ensure for the health and environmental sustainability of the country.

By bringing together youth, scholars, experts, activists, filmmakers, representatives of public, private and nongovernmental institutions and the general public, the Festival promotes programs and projects that contribute to environmental protection, conservation and sustainability.

Join us in celebrating the Third Edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, to take place September 4-8, 2013!

For more information please visit us online at www.dreff.org