The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister organization in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), commenced their IV annual Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), a five-day event held from September 10 to 14, 2014. More than 80 screenings in 10 auditoriums and venues across the Dominican Republic will showcase 37 films including Dominican films, feature and short films as well as GFDD productions related to environmental and sustainable development topics.
The opening celebration was held at Palacio del Cine of Agora Mall in Santo Domingo, starting with a welcoming cocktail for the more than 20 international special guests, more than 30 national experts, the National DREFF Advisory Committee along with the general audience that attended the official DREFF inauguration.
President Leonel Fernández, president of GFDD and FUNGLODE, was present at the ceremony, where Ms. Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of GFDD, offered the opening remarks after a short video introduction of the Film Festival. Ms. Despotovic acknowledged the presence of special national and international guests including Isabel Turull (General Manager of Palacio del Cine), José Rafael Lantigua, Rafael Suárez, Dominican authorities, public, private and NGO collaborators, and distinct attendees to this edition of DREFF as Richard O’Barry, Stuart Sender, Charlotte Vick, Suzan Beraza, among others.
Each year during the DREFF opening ceremony, GFDD launches a special product or film production, which aims to further contribute to environmental sustainability awareness well beyond the Festival. Ms. Despotovic mentioned previous products created for the first three editions of the DREFF, such as the Dominican Republic Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment, the “Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic experience” short film and the “How to make an urban garden” guide, part of the Eco-Huertos program.
This year GFDD presented the book Hacia el desarrollo sostenible y economía verde en República Dominicana (Towards Sustainable Development and Green Economy in Dominican Republic), a practical guide for businesses, individuals and households for everyday approaches towards sustainable development. “This book is particularly timely as the United Nations are promoting the Sustainable Goals across the world” said Ms. Despotovic. The official launch of the book will be Saturday, September 13, during the closing ceremony of the Festival.
Special acknowledgement for relevant services and dedications were handed during the opening celebration. Bertha Santana, Coordinator of GFDD program ReCrearte, presented a recognition award to Jakaira Cid, which was received by Julio Adrián García on her behalf; and Cristiana Cruz Minier, Coordinator of GFDD program Eco-Huertos, handed the award to Gaudí Ruiz de González.
Karim Mella, Founder and President of Fundación Siempre Más, received a DREFF special recognition from President Fernández. Mr. Mella is the first Dominican to ever climb the Mount Everest, and is a great leader working with GFDD program RDescubre, fostering educational expeditions to Pico Duarte. A group of students were saluted and wished good luck on their expedition that will start tomorrow, September 11, 2014 to Pico Duarte, and to the cleanups of La Ciénaga and Manabao.
These recognitions were made because of their exceptional and unconditional support to GFDD’s programs and initiatives to promote environmental awareness.
After the acknowledgements Ms. Despotovic introduced Enrico Cerasuolo, Director of Last Call, the opening movie screened to inaugurate the Festival. Mr. Cerasuolo is a renowned documentary director and screenwriter. The movie shows how the book The Limits to Growth, a bestseller worldwide based on a report by a team of brave scientists from the MIT, shook the world 40 years ago. Today their message is more relevant than ever: Planet Earth has its limits. “An infinite growth in a finite planet is impossible” said Cerasuolo.
The DREFF seeks to encourage discussions around sustainable development and environmental global issues, and aims to inspire Dominican audiences to adopt practices that will ensure the country’s environmental sustainability. Numerous screenings of high quality local and international films that deal with a diverse selection of pressing global environmental issues are scheduled throughout the week. Discussion panels, as well as other engaging activities with experts, filmmakers and other stakeholders, will also be available.
GFDD aims to raise awareness and deepen the understanding of global environmental issues among Dominican audiences. However, with the DREFF, GFDD also promotes and celebrates the beauty and diversity of the Dominican Republic’s natural heritage, and offers insight into the attitudes and actions that will ultimately contribute to its appreciation, conservation and sustainable use.
The complete IV DREFF program can be accessed by visiting www.dreff.org. You can also support the sustainable development conversation promoted by GFDD by following @GFDDorg and @MuestraCine in Twitter and using the hashtags #RDsostenible and #DREFF.
