The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) production Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience, as well as Primeros Pasos, 1st place winner in the second edition of Globo Verde Dominicano Award, has been selected as finalists in the 2014 edition of ECOFILM Festival.

The GFDD production, directed by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Natasha Despotovic, had received more than 10 awards since its official launch during the 3^rd edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF). The film shows in detail how recycling has become an important economic opportunity for Dominicans. Through various business and educational projects the viewer notes that besides the obvious benefit to the environment, recycling allows economic development through the creation of new businesses and industries. A short film that inspires, moves and calls for action.

Meanwhile, Primeros Pasos is a short film directed by Sebastián Cabrera, which was awarded the 1st Place of the second edition of the Globo Verde Dominicano Award, an initiative of GFDD which recognizes the best short films and public service announcement in the area of ​​environmental and sustainable development.

ECOFILM is an International Environmental Short Film Festival, held annually in Mexico.  It responds to the need to raise awareness on environmental topics, promoting audiovisual production and ecological culture with solutions that balance human beings in interaction with their environment.  This year’s theme was Solid Waste.

For more information visit

http://garbage.dreff.org

www.dreff.org

http://www.globoverdedominicano.org/

http://ecofilmfestival.org/

“Movies and documentaries in defense of animals represent a new form of activism, and improve the way to educate people,” so said the renowned international activist and star of the documentary The Cove Rick O’Barry, during the workshop “the Cinema as a means of activism.”

The workshop was held last Sunday 14, as part of the activities of the IV edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, organized by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister institution in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode) .

The environmental activist said that through making documentaries and films about environmental issues and animal rights today, people are more aware of the problems that arise in this world. “In the past you had to tell journalists the problem, but now they go to the interview with a base about the problem and ask about possible solutions.”

The creator of the Dolphin Project (www.dolphinproject.org) urged young filmmakers interested in the environment, “to use the medium to create awareness.” Alisson Argo, a leading environmental film director, discussed her beginnings in this type of production. “I went from being a Broadway actress to a film production company in defense of animals after learning the plight of a Gorilla, and made my first film.”

The winner of six Emmy Awards said that movies about animal rights ” do make a difference”, as many people know about the situation of these living beings and can help improve their situation. Argo said that when making a documentary, you should “tell the story, show the facts and let people draw their own conclusions.”

Meanwhile Stefanie Brendl, co-producer of Extinction Soup said that movies are a powerful tool, even to change laws and impact the population. Brendl cited as an example the film she co-directed, with which they could make the trade of shark fins in Hawaii eliminated, and the negative perception that people have about this animal was changed.

The environmental activist advised young filmmakers who want to make environmental films to “be well honest, surround yourself with experts in the field in which you want to make your movie, and create a human emotion to make the public be interested in what is happening.”

For three days the Biblioteca Infantil y Juvenil República Dominicana in Santo Domingo became the ideal setting for a great mission: giving voice to the voiceless and show younger Dominicans riches that mother Earth gives us and how to care for them and promote the messages of awareness about the environment. This is the mission that for four years the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo(FUNGLODE) expressed through the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), which this year celebrated its fourth edition from 10 to 14 September in 10 cities across the country.

The library hosted a total of 5 projections, attended by over 700 students from different primary and secondary schools of the capital, including República de Chile, Domínico-Americano, San Martín de Porres, Cuie-UTESA, EvangélicoCentral, República de Honduras, Evangélico Misionero, and República de Colombia y Jacagua.

The Dominican documentary Cordillera Central: Oasis del Caribe and international films Cotorra: Una historia secreta; Field Chronicals: Chinganza – The Water`s Journey and Bears, as well as a program of animated shorts about various environmental issues were received by the young Dominican public with great enthusiasm.

“The DREFF’s clear message with these films is: that we must change the way of life as a society because we are endangering the natural resources for generations to come,” said the director of the library, Ms. Dulce Elvira.

After each screening, the students had the opportunity to talk with the directors of the films and national and international experts on the most pressing environmental issues. The director of the film Cotorra: Una historia secreta, the American Allison Argo; Director of Cordillera Central: Oasis del Caribe, the Dominican Máximo José Rodríguez; The directors of El agua de la Tierra, Mexicans Emma and Pedro Lopez Narvaez and national experts José Rafael Almonte, professor at theUniversidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo; Simon Guerrero, a biologist and professor at the Universidad Iberoamericana, and Nelson Marcano Garcia, the Deputy Minister of Protected Areas, among others, held lively discussions with students.

Argo said she “felt the need to talk to the parrots, intelligent birds but have no voice in humans” and are in danger due to their captivity. The environmentalist invited the young people to protect these birds, which are unique and intelligent animals.

For his part Rodríguez, speaking of his film, emphasized, “The Cordillera Central is the life of the Dominican Republic. You, the students, are the heirs and, especially, their children. My message is to care for our planet, our home. “

Meanwhile Emma López, co-director of El agua de la tierra said, “It is very gratifying to see that our voice is being heard. If we all contribute we will maintain the balance that by nature, the Earth itself generates. “

Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), organizer of the DREFF, aims to raise awareness and deepen understanding of environmental problems worldwide among the Dominican public. In DREFF, GFDD also promotes and even celebrates the beauty and diversity of the natural heritage of the Dominican Republic, offering an insight into the attitudes and actions that ultimately contribute to its appreciation, conservation and sustainable use.

To see all that has happened in this year’s DREFF visit www.dreff.org. Join the conversation on sustainable development promoted by followingGFDDorg GFDD andMuestraCine on Twitter, using #RDsostenible and #DREFF hashtags.

Before an auditorium filled to capacity the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister organization in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), held the closing ceremony in the theater FUNGLODE.

The ceremony began with a review video of everything that happened during the past five days. In his welcoming Mrs. Natasha Despotovic, GFDD Executive Director, thanked all filmmakers, organizers, partners, sponsors, students and the general public who took part in special activities and film screenings during this year’s DREFF. “I think this event has been very productive. It has been an experience of work and contribution for the country and the world, ” said Despotovic.
A surprise during the ceremony was the presentation of short films Aqua and Casi Cero, productions by students of Colegio Loyola, which were also screened at the Loyola Film Festival, organized by art teacher Wendy Kellys. Ms. Natasha Despotovic also took the opportunity to invite Emy Rodriguez, Environmental Specialist of GFDD and DREFF filmmakers’ coordinator, to the podium. After seven years of collaboration with the Foundation, Rodriguez will be retiring to pursue doctoral studies to become a marine biologist. Subsequently, the Executive Director gave way to the premiere presentation of the film … Prelude Lake Enriquillo climate change, Dominican director Fernando Báez, outstanding professional filmmaking in the Dominican Republic and President of Unicorn Films.

The film is about the history and evolution of the largest lake in the Antilles. A thorough investigation of the rising of the water level, commented by professionals who have studied the lake for years. How the flood has affected its inhabitants. As has captured the attention of the scientific community in the world for being considered a window to the world that shows the consequences of climate change.

National and international experts on environmental issues participated in the activity, such as as Omar Ramirez, Executive Vice President of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism; Idelisa Bonelly de Calventi, a renowned legend in development of marine science in the Dominican Republic; and Sixto Incháustegui, Dominican biologist and consultant on international environmental issues; among others. At the end of the film presentation, a question and answer session was held with the participation of Don Sixto Incháustegui and Fernando Báez.

During the DREFF, GFDD also promotes and celebrates the beauty and diversity of the natural heritage of the Dominican Republic, offering an insight into the attitudes and actions that ultimately contribute to its appreciation, conservation and sustainable use. In this IV edition of the DREFF more than 30 short films were screened and over 20 national and international guests attended special activities, as well as offering workshops and lectures on topics related to the environment.

For more details you can visit the DREFF www.dreff.org. Join the conversation on sustainable development promoted by followingGFDDorg GFDD andMuestraCine on Twitter, using the hashtags #RDsostenible and #DREFF.

Stunning views of the Caribbean Sea provided a backdrop for lunch and a beach trip that the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister institution in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) offered their special guests and staff of the DREFF.

The lunch took place at Boca Marina Restaurant, located in the heart of beautiful Dominican beach Boca Chica. Guests and organizers of the DREFF enjoyed the warm Caribbean waters, followed by a delicious lunch of exquisite traditional Dominican cuisine with international flair. The group gathered and celebrated the success of the activities of the DREFF in this, its 4th edition. Each year the Film Festival further strengthens its commitment to the environment and public awareness through special lectures, workshops, and film screenings in cities across the country, during the five-day film festival.

GFDD-FUNGLODE aims to raise awareness and deepen understanding of environmental problems worldwide among the Dominican public. However, with the DREFF, GFDD also promotes and even celebrates the beauty and diversity of the natural heritage of the Dominican Republic, offering an insight into the attitudes and actions that ultimately contribute to their recognition, conservation and sustainable use.

For more information about the DREFF please visit www.dreff.org DREFF. Join the conversation on sustainable development promoted by followingGFDDorg GFDD andMuestraCine on Twitter, using the hashtags #RDsostenible and #DREFF.

A special selection of short films was successfully presented during the IV Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), celebrated in more than 10 cities of the Caribbean country. The list included: El agua de la tierra, Maxtlitlán, En un ser vivo, El funeral de don Jején, Burning in the Sun, Field Chronicles: Chingaza—The Water’s Journey, Save the Devil and Circular.

Venues in several cities such as Centro Cultural Narciso González, Centro Cultural Perelló, Biblioteca Infantil y Juvenil República Dominicana and Casa de la Cultura de Constanza screened the short films program. After the screenings, audiences joined national and international experts as well as invited film’ directors and producers of these shorts, who gathered in interesting discussion panels and Q&A.

The short films were very well received as the attendees asked numerous pertinent questions calling for the creation of environmental education workshops and made comments about the importance of water and other natural resources.

These presentations were part of the IV Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), celebrated September 10-14, 2014. For more information visit www.dreff.org and follow @MuestraCine #DREFF and #RDsostenible.

On Saturday September 13^th 2014, during the IV Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) launched the book Hacia el desarrollo sostenible y la economía verde en la República Dominicana (Towards sustainable development and green economy in Dominican Republic) which includes a brief analysis of the current sustainable development in a global context, a compilation of national and international legislation regarding said topics and a practical guide to promote environmental sustainability and resilience from both business and household perspectives.

The event began with a welcome cocktail in the lobby of the auditorium of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE), where guests were able to share with the event organizers and general public.

The publication initially published in Spanish, uses very user-friendly language to foster awareness on climate change and sustainability topics for a wide audience in both the Dominican Republic and abroad. The book gives an introduction to basic sustainability topics and the most important milestones at the international, and local levels, on sustainable development. It outlines the best practices and shares the lessons learned from many countries and companies that have committed to sustainability at several levels. It then presents useful hands-on tips for saving water and energy, contributing to transport sustainability, promoting green policies at the work place, and other related areas of interest. The book also includes several facts, important quotes/statements and useful information related to the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations.

Businesses and households that wish to contribute to sustainable development are now provided with the knowledge of where and how to start. Although this was originally written for the Dominican Republic audience, it is undoubtedly just as applicable to other people elsewhere, since our need for a more sustainable environment knows no geographical limits.

Mrs. Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) gave the opening remarks and presented the book, giving a short explanation of its contents and highlighting the importance and relevance of the publication, at the time that the United Nations are agreeing Sustainable Development Goals globally.

Meanwhile, Maria Victoria Abreu, Manager of International Relations and Socio-Economic Programs at GFDD, spoke about the process carried out for the realization of the book. Abreu thanked the contributors, particularly highlighting ECORED, Giselle Pérez and Yomayra Martinó Dominican lawyers’ specialize in environmental law, Omar Ramirez of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism, PACE University and Jake Kheel Group Puntacana.

She reiterated the public support to the project, by contributing with new ideas and initiatives at a local and national level for future editions, and to join the conversation on social networks, which serves as a multiplier mechanism of awareness on the subject.

Mrs. Yomayra Martinó, one of the contributors to the content of the publication, spoke about the importance of this publication to the Dominican Republic, emphasizing some of the major challenges in environmental regulation for sustainable development.

With this publication, GFDD emphasizes its commitment to promoting consciousness on climate change and environmental sustainability issues, and continues the institutional tradition of launching a special and time-relevant product during the celebration of each year’s DREFF.

For more information about the book and the DREFF visit www.globalfoundationdd.org  or www.dreff.org. Join the conversation on sustainable development promoted by followingGFDDorg GFDD andMuestraCine on Twitter, using the hashtags #RDsostenible and #DREFF.

At a special ceremony in the presence of renowned filmmakers and environmentalists, the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) presented the winners of the 2014 Premio Globo Verde Dominicano at the IV edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF).

This contest is a crucial part of the DREFF, since it aims to promote the production and distribution of films on issues of climate change and sustainable development. Like every year, the Globo Verde Dominicano competition grows along with its participants, which allows them to continue raising awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship in innovative ways. This year the competition includes a new category in the area of photography.

The 2014 edition of the Globo Verde Dominicano Award received entries until August 11^th for the categories of Short Film, Public Service Announcement and Photography. A team of experienced judges carefully analyzed and examined the audiovisual material received, to select the best works.

The winners were Carlos Manuel Rodríguez in the Short Film Category with “Mañana”; Adaritza Pérez Espinal in the Awareness Category “Bebemos lo que hacemos” and Ben Dúran in the Photography Category with “Preparando el camino II”.

GFDD would like to thank the following judges: Fernando Báez – Filmmaker, founder and president of Unicornio Films and Grupo Único; Martha Checo – filmmaker, TV Producer, Documentalist, resarcher and professor and Marisol González – Film Director and Dominican HBO Producer; Eladio Fernández – Conservationist Photographer, editor and Advisor of Propagas Foundation; Ricardo Manuel Briones Castillo – Biologist and photographer and Jesús Rodríguez – Architech and Photographer.

Globo Verde Dominicano Award offers an unprecedented opportunity and a platform for filmmakers; students and young professionals who wish to engage in a fairly unexplored area in the Dominican Republic. With this competition, they are given the opportunity to create audiovisual material on topics related to the environment, as well as the opportunity to also showcase their work during the DREFF, to both local and international audiences.

Filmmakers Dan Susman, Allison Argo and Enrico Cerasuolo, international guests at the IV edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) visited the farm of organic cocoa El Sendero del Cacao, located in San Francisco Macorís. There they had the opportunity to see up close the chocolate making process, from planting the seeds of cacao, harvesting, drying and fermentation to obtain the final product.

Before starting the walk through the grounds of 40 acres, guests were greeted with a delicious cup of organic hot chocolate. During the two-hour tour they had the opportunity to walk through the trails, to appreciate the cacao trees, as well as differentiate the seeds that are sown there.

The guests were also participants in a demonstration of the traditional methods of making chocolate. They also went to the Chocolatería La Esmeralda, where they observed the modern process of making chocolate. Each one made their own chocolate bar 55% cacao, which was given to them as a gift after a delicious lunch of dishes from the Dominican cuisine.

The production of organic cocoa in the Dominican Republic continues to grow. El Sendero del Cacaohacienda is one of the local exporters of raw materials, for making delicious sweets around the world.

“The tour was very educational, but also interactive because we planted seeds, grind them by hand and even prepared our own candy bar” expressed Allison Argo, director of Parrot Confidential.

The DREFF seeks to foster discussions on sustainable development and global environmental issues and aims to inspire the Dominican public to adopt practices that ensure environmental sustainability of the country and the world.

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), organizer of the DREFF with her sister organization in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), aims to raise awareness and deepen understanding of environmental problems worldwide between the Dominican public. However, with the DREFF, GFDD-FUNGLODE also further promote and celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural heritage of the Dominican Republic, offering an insight into the attitudes and actions that ultimately contribute to their recognition, conservation and sustainable use.

For the full program please visit www.dreff.org DREFF. Join the conversation on sustainable development promoted by followingGFDDorg GFDD andMuestraCine on Twitter, using the hashtags #RDsostenible and #DREFF.

Centro León also hosted a panel of experts after the screening. 

Santiago de los Caballeros, September 11th, 2014. Centro León was the venue for the screening that kicked off the IV Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest city in the Dominican Republic, during the evening of Thursday, September 11th. Filmmaker Denis Delestrac, who made the documentary film Sand Wars, opened the program of the event in a spectacular manner before an enthusiastic audience. The screenings in Santiago will extend until this coming Sunday, September 14th. The President of Green Planet Films and distributor of the film, Suzanne Harle, came from San Francisco, California, USA, to participate in the event and respond to questions from the audience during a discussion panel that was held after the screening. Engineer Domingo Rodríguez, Santiago’s Provincial Director of the Environment, also participated in the discussion.

The opening ceremony was attended by Luis Felipe Rodríguez, Manager of Cultural Programs at Centro León, and by José de Laura, in charge of Centro León’s Cineforum, both of whom gave the floor to Miryam López, GFDD/FUNGLODE representative.

The public of Santiago received with great enthusiasm the screening of the documentary film, which portrays a shocking picture of the predictions of a growing number of scientists and environmental NGOs, that, at the end of the 21^st century, the beaches will be a thing of the past. The film explains how today sand is a vital resource for our modern economies, which makes it the most consumed natural resource on the planet after fresh water, and how its extraction may lead, in a not too distant future, to the destruction of our coastal areas and beaches.

After the screening, some viewers expressed their astonishment at the information provided by the film. “I am in shock,” or “this film has changed my life,” were some of the comments that were heard among the audience.

During the panel, Suzanne Harle referred to the three main reasons that are causing the loss of sand in the Dominican Republic: hurricanes, the loss of coral reefs and the use of sand by the construction industry. However, she underscored that developing countries such as the Dominican Republic still have time to curb the serious problems that the extraction of sand from the beaches are causing to the coastal and marine ecosystems and the environment in general, and highlighted the successful initiatives that governments and corporations around the world have launched thanks to this documentary film.

Meanwhile, Domingo Rodríguez made an exhaustive review of some of the major environmental issues that thrive today all over the beaches and river basins of the country. At the same time, he said that “Dominican tourism is not sustainable because it does not provide balance: there is no respect for the culture of the areas where tourism activity is concentrated or for the natural cycles that affect the environment. It is just a mere economic compensation that does not always include the communities in which it takes place.”

Santiago’s Provincial Director of the Environment added that the beaches of Bayahibe, Samaná, Cabarete, Gaspar Hernández, Sosua and Montecristi are some of those that, at present, display greater erosion in the country.

About the Film Festival

Dozens of films, panel discussions, dialogues and workshops are taking place in 10 cities around the country in the framework of the IV edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), held from September 10th to September 14th, 2014.

Santo Domingo, Baní, San Cristóbal, Puerto Plata, Sosúa, Samaná, San Juan de la Maguana, La Vega and San Francisco de Macorís have made it possible for thousands of people to enjoy the complete programming of the fourth installment of the Film Festival on environmental issues, organized by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister organization, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE).

Venues such as the UNPHU, the Loyola College, the Monina Cámpora Cultural Center, Centro León, the Constanza Culture House, Hotel Villa Serena, the Perelló Cultural Center, among many others, have welcomed the screenings and special activities organized as part of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival.

To keep abreast of all the latest news about the Film Festival, please visit: http://www.muestracinemedioambientaldominicana.org/noticias/

To view the pictures taken during the Film Festival, please visit: http://www.muestracinemedioambientaldominicana.org/fotos/