DREFF Participants Learn To Use Audiovisual Media to Promote Conservation and Environmental Topics at DREFF’s Workshops, and a Special Master Class

Santo Domingo, September 9, 2013

More than just to entertain, one of the principal aims of the III Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) is to educate and capacitate the general population of the Dominican Republic in environmental issues so that they may continue to promote the protection and conservation of the environment year-round. In order to achieve this goal, the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) produce a series of workshops and master classes to impart specialized tools to participants interested in promoting environmental issues through audiovisuals.

The series of capacity-building workshops and Master classes kicked off on Friday, September 6 with a workshop entitled “Say ‘Cheese’ Mother Earth – Nature Photography,” given by renowned Dominican photographers Eladio Fernández and José Alejandro Alvarez. The audience, composed of professional and amateur photographers alike, was enraptured as poignant underwater images taken by Alvarez filled the high-definition screen to begin the session. The award-winning underwater and conservation photographer spoke about the special techniques used to capture underwater images, and imparted his advice on how to get the best shot: get closer. “When you think that you are close enough, get closer,” he told participants.

Later Fernández, author of one of the most extensive image banks of the landscapes, flora and fauna of the Greater Antilles, highlighted the ways in which photography can promote appreciation for and the conservation of the environment.  He also asserted that the uniqueness of the landscapes and scenery of the Dominican Republic provide the perfect background for photographers to perfect their skills.

On Saturday, September 7, the professional workshops continued with a sporty and modern flair as Chris and Caleb Farro, representatives of the camera brand GoPro from California and Oregon, demonstrated the unique usage and effects of the cameras through video and hands-on tutorials.  GoPro cameras are some of the most versatile, high definition cameras on the market.  A must-have tool used by athletes and sportsmen, the GoPro can be clipped or strapped to almost any apparatus, giving video unique perspectives with a personalized touch, complete with tools for easy uploading to social media.

Over 50 participants learned the main effects of the new Hero3 black edition camera, and viewed incredible footage taken by surfers, snowboarders, skaters, soccer players and other documentary filmmakers.  One lucky young participant, a member of a skating and cinematography group, won himself a free camera by correctly answering a question about its features.

On the same day was a recyclying ReCrearte workshop, conducted by GFDD and FUNGLODE collaborator, Bertha Santana, who also hosts them throughout the year since their initiation in II DREFF, in 2012. Using art as a means of expression, each of the students present learnt how to take advantage of the things we are about to throw away, transforming them into new objects with an entirely different use to what they were originally purchased.

Finally, the exciting series of capacity-building workshops concluded on Sunday, September 8, with a special Master class, conducted by internationally reputed environmentalist, photographer and filmmaker, Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Mr. Arthus-Bertrand has made it his life’s goal to demonstrate the Earth’s beauty and show the impact of mankind on the planet.  In the class, he recounted his life as a photographer and filmmaker, highlighting the lessons that he learned about different cultures, creatures, life forms and aerial photography along the way.  Mr. Arthrus-Bertrand shared tips on effectively conveying emotions and message through photography and showed clips of his films to an audience of nearly 100 admirers of his incredible work.

About the III DR Environmental Film Festival
The DR environmental film festival, which is hosted in the Dominican Republic onSeptember 4-8, 2013, aims to raise awareness and deepen the understanding of environmental issues among Dominican audiences. 2013 will mark the third anniversary of our festival, complementing the Dominican Republic’s Global Film Festival which has been running for the past six years. The Festival seeks to promote dialogue and inspire Dominican audiences to adopt practices that will ensure the country’s environmental sustainability and health. As part of this objective, it pursues to provide youth and general audiences the opportunity to watch the best and most beautiful, informative and educational environmental international films of the year, to learn about the pressing issues, to appreciate and value the diversity and beauty of the Dominican Republic and, hopefully, inspire greater environmental stewardship.

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