The Dominican Environmental Film Festival, an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode), was present at the 12^th Festival del Cine Pobre de Gibara, in Holguin, Cuba, held from April 20 to 24, with a busy agenda:  screening of three documentaries—two GFDD productions and the winner of Premio Globo Verde Dominicano 2015—promoting creative recycling; and participating in a panel commemorating Earth Day.

The documentaries Value of Life and Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience, GFDD/Funglode productions, and 7 Grams, winner of Globo Verde Dominicano Award, were screened at Cine Martí, where dozens of children of all ages enjoyed the event.

The panel commemorating Earth Day was celebrated April 21 with the objective of educating and sensitizing the audience on the contribution of environmental films to the Planet’s protection. The panelists Bertha Santana, Julio Santucho y Omar Shamir Reynoso, expressed how through audiovisual productions society can access good practices of environmental responsibilities and sustainable behaviors, and invited the public to find the ecological balance much needed by our Planet.

GFDD/Funglode’s program ReCrearte, led by the prominent Dominican artist Bertha Santana, offered a series of workshops on April 21 and 22 where children, adolescents and adults learned about creative recycling. The workshop was also a chance to exchange experiences with local artists who expressed their gratitude for the invitation to the festival.

The Festival Internacional de Cine Pobre, founded by Humberto Solás, is one of the most popular events within the alternative cinema circuit, which brings together the most important filmmakers from Cuba and abroad.

About DREFF
Since its creation 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) has been providing Dominicans with a platform of knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable development, along with its challenges and best practices while celebrating the unique beauty and wealth that is the Dominican Republic’s natural heritage. With a diverse selection of films and numerous panels, workshops, seminars, and community activities, the DREFF promotes dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and experience, inspiring Dominicans to adopt actions that contribute to the appreciation, conservation, and sustainable use of their environmental resources.

About ReCrearte
ReCrearte works with disadvantaged members of the community who receive training in recycled art and creating objects from trash. They also learn the “three gold rules” or the 3Rs for the proper management of solid waste: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The workshops demonstrate and underscore the idea that recycling and turning waste into art strengthens individuals as well as communities.

Related Links:
www.r3crearte.org
http://festivalcinepobre.cult.cu/

The president of Gobal Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo(Funglode), Dr. Leonel Fernández, pointed out yesterday in New York the foundations’ efforts to promote the Dominican Film Industry in the United States.

As example of such, the former president of the Dominican Republic announced Monday April 25, during the premiere of “Vuelos Prohibidos”, by the Cuban director Rigoberto López, that Funglode and the Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematográficos (ICAIC) are working on a collaboration agreement for the production of exportable quality films, with the aim of building the grounds to enter the North American market.

Similarly, the former ruler stressed the thrust of the Dominican film industry, and reported that so far in the year more than 52 million dollars have been invested in films production, “something unprecedented in national life”, which has been imputed to the incentive offered by the Cinema Law, an initiative of his governance.

Fernández said that in addition to approving a Cinema Law with special incentives for the cinematographic stream, created a film school and filming studios, which include one ranked among the best in the world.

The premiere, which took place at Lincoln Center, in New York, was also attended by the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, and the prominent Dominican businessman José Luis Corripio Estrada (Pepin).

The film, which premiered at the Festival de Cine Global Dominicano 2015, is produced by ICAIC, the Cuban Ministry of Culture and Funglode.

The launch of “Vuelos Prohibidos” in the North American market is part of a commitment to cooperate between Funglode and Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS). The activity was organized by Funglode and Duende Films, under the auspices of Mega 97.9.

As part of the program of the night, the former President Fernández served as moderator of a conversation with the French actress, of Moroccan origin, Sanáa Alaoui, who embodies one of the main characters of the film, and Rigoberto López. Ellis Pérez, Executive Advisor of DGCINE Dominican Republic Film Commission was the master of ceremonies.

In statements to journalists during the red carpet, the former Dominican leader explained that the launch in New York of “Vuelos Prohibidos” seeks to create the conditions for entering the North American market, although the ultimate goal is to also reach the rest of the hemisphere and around the world.

Moreover, the Director López explained that with the production carried out with the collaboration of Funglode he aimed at making fiction about the reality of his country, for the purpose of provoking a reflection on identity and other no less important aspects. He also stressed the qualities of French actress Sanáa Alaoui, as well as the collaboration and support received from Fernández.

Other than the former President Fernández, the Vice President Cedeño de Fernández and Director Rigoberto López, the premiere was attended by members of the diplomatic corps accredited in this country, as well as executives of SBS, a U.S. media entertainment group.

At the event were also present the main actors in the film, as well as a number of special guests, among them Cuba’s Ambassador in the United States, José Ramón Cabañas; Ruddy Fuentes, President of the Association of Supermarkets of New York; the Dominican filmmaker Jimmy Sierra, as well as artists, actors, entrepreneurs, producers, diplomats and a large representation of the Dominican and Cuban community.

The film is a Wendy Guerra and Rigoberto López´s original project, with script by the Director and Julio Carranza, Danilo León and Omar de la Cruz as Executive Producers, Ángel Alderete Gómez as Photography Director, and Miguel Nuñez for the music. With the launch of this film a co-production agreement with ICAC was sealed, fostering the relation that has been nurtured for years.

“Vuelos Prohibidos” tells the love story of Mario and Monique, who meet when an unexpected storm causes the cancellation of their flights from Paris to Cuba, which leads them to become lovers in a hotel adjacent to the airport. There, between confessions and feelings, they will try to share their visions of Cuba, traveling between storms of truths, frustrations, doubts and hopes.

The story, that was written beginning in 2007, shows the contrasts of a country, between the modernity of Vedado and Miramar, and the “other Havana”, according to the director of the film. While the plot takes place in Paris, you can see images of the Caribbean island that is currently a focal point in the international community due to its recent commercial opening.

The film will be also screened in Miami and Los Angeles.

Under the motto “Because we can do something”, Cinema Planeta, the Mexican International Environmental Film Festival held its eighth edition between April 19 and 24, with 73 films screened and 20,000 attendees.

The Dominican Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) was present during the six days of the event building bonds of collaboration with the festival of Cuernavaca- both festivals are part of the Green Film Network – the Association that brings together the most important environmental film festivals in the world.

As every year, Cinema Planeta, presented different film sections, one of which devoted specifically to climate change, topic that was reinforced with a series of conferences, including the one dictated by the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, guest of honor of this eighth edition. Similarly, functions in the open air and several exhibitions, as well as social events with the filmmakers, experts and local authorities were held.

The work with youths continued this year in Salas Ambientales where about thousands of students attended the projections.

DREFF Communications Director, Miryam Lopez San Miguel, who was present at the festival on behalf of the team of the Festival, explained: “it has been very inspiring visiting and sharing experiences with a festival of this size and with characteristics so similar to ours…we have learned a lot, we have seen very good movies, made new friends and, above all and most importantly we have strengthened our ties of collaboration and mutual support with Cinema Planeta and all its staff.”

In its eighth edition, Cinema Planeta has consolidated as the most important cinematographic, cultural, scientific initiative of the civil society in Mexico, which promotes the protection of the environment, explain its directors, Eleonora Isunza and Gustavo Ballester.

“Changes are also positive in nature and therefore is essential for us that we can change towards a mindset that will allow us to coexist in harmony with our environment and to enable new generations to work for the benefit of the planet and humanity. How much will change in a thousand years? Only time will tell, however in Cinema Planeta we hope to be part of that future. Certainly there are many things to celebrate and many tasks to assume and take to completion”, ensure Isunza and Ballester.

To view the winning films click here

Related Links:
www.globalfoundationdd.org
www.cinemaplaneta.org

With the participation of more than 180 members of the cooperative La Altagracia, the DREFF Year Round Environmental Film Screenings Program projected, Thursday, April 14, the documentary “Lake Enriquillo: Prelude to Climate Change” in Santiago de los Caballeros. The environmental screening took place within the framework of the event Tertulia Cooperativista, “with the intention of raising awareness and educating the cooperative community on the issue of climate change, especially in the national context to raise levels of awareness”, explained the Environmental Programs Coordinator of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) in the Dominican Republic , Omar Shamir Reynoso. At the end of the projection the floor was opened to a questions and answer session where the participants could interact with the director of the film, Fernando Báez.

The welcoming remarks were pronounced by Juan Rodríguez, Vice President of the cooperative, who urged their members to implement actions that promote the conservation of the environment.

This documentary presents in detail the origin and the changes suffered by Lake Enriquillo for decades through a historical collection of images captured by the lens of the Dominican producer and director Fernando Báez.

The cooperative representatives present at the activity include the President of the Council of Central Monitoring, Deyaniris Rodríguez; General Manager, Carolina Inoa; and the Marketing and Communications Manager, Ruddy Montán, who conducted the ceremony, as well as a broad representation of the District Directorate, Central Directors and valuable collaborators.

Among the audience, very interested in the topic, directors of Sociedad Ecólogica del Cibao (SOECI) and members of the press.

About Year Round Environmental Film Screening
As part of its mission to reach more communities, institutions and individuals around the country, the DR Environmental Film Festival organizes film screenings year-round, providing the opportunity to bring successful film programs to new and remote communities. By showing a diverse selection of quality films on critical environmental issues and organizing discussions and workshops, the year-round film screenings seek to foster and inspire dialogue, raise awareness and promote sustainable practices.

About DREFF
Since its creation in 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) has been providing Dominicans with a platform of knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable development, along with its challenges and best practices, while celebrating the unique beauty and wealth that is the Dominican Republic’s natural heritage.

Related Links:
www.globalfoundationdd.org

As part of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Funglode’s initiatives to deepen knowledge and understanding about environmental issues and raise awareness of the problems affecting the environment, on Friday April 15, several academic institutions participated in an excursion to Lake Enriquillo.

GFDD through its program RDescubre and in collaboratation with Plan Lea, within the framework of the Week of Geography, organized a visit to “Parque Nacional Lago Enriquillo e Isla Cabritos”, where participants had the chance to observe the main species of flora and fauna endemics of the region and to perceive the alterations suffered by the Lake as consequence of climate change.

More than 40 young students, professors and staff from the academic institutions Celina Pilier, Brisa Oriental and el Ángel, had the opportunity to attend the expedition to the area known as “Las Caritas”. During the activity participants enjoyed a boat tour through the lake’s waters while guides from Asociación de Guías del Lago Enriquillo described the surrounding flora and fauna.

The expedition is part of a project that seeks to bring students closer with nature so that they can learn the value of natural resources and the protection of the environment.

About RDescubre
The RDescubre program is GFDD initiative which aims to provide underserved students and communities with the opportunity to take part in educational expeditions all over the Dominican Republic as a way of seeing and appreciating the country’s beautiful landscapes and the wealth of its natural resources. By immersing these participants in natural environments, the expeditions connect them to nature through positive enduring experiences thereby motivating greater environmental stewardship. Through these adventures, participants are inspired to become activists in their own local communities and to work together for a common cause, while inspiring others through their experiences.

For more information:
www.rdescubre.org
www.globalfoundationdd.org

En el marco del programa de la Semana de la Geografía y en coordinación con el Plan Lea del periódico Listín Diario, el programa de Proyecciones Medioambientales del DREFF presentó ante más de 160 estudiantes de 8 centros educativos el documental Lago Enriquillo: Preludio del cambio climatico, producido y dirigido por el afamado cineasta dominicano Fernando Báez.

Con la finalidad de promover las buenas prácticas medioambientales y el desarrollo socioeconómico sostenible, el auditorio de Funglode en Santo Domingo acogió la proyección, que terminó con un juego de trivia en el que los estudiantes respondieron preguntas sobre lo visto en el documental. Los jóvenes con las mejores respuestas recibieron obsequios de la Muestra de Cine Medioambiental Dominicana.

El próximo viernes 15 de abril, en el marco de la misma iniciativa, los estudiantes realizarán una excursión, bajo el programa de GFDD RDescubre, donde podrán conocer de primera mano los cambios sufridos en el lago Enriquillo y las zonas aledañas debido al cambio climático.

Los centros educativos participantes en estas dos actividades son: San Judas Tadeo, Babeque Secundaria, Evangélico Central, Experimental O&M, Celina Pilier, Brisas Oriental El Angel y Club 12 Juegos.

Sobre el programa de Proyecciones Medioambientales del DREFF

La Muestra de Cine Medioambiental Dominicana mantiene un programa de Proyecciones Medioambientales, el cual ofrece la oportunidad al público de todo el país de disfrutar de las más interesantes proyecciones de temática medioambiental que se han exhibido en las ediciones anteriores de la Muestra, ampliando así el alcance de los esfuerzos por concienciar y profundizar la comprensión existente sobre temas medioambientales en el público dominicano. El programa ofrece la oportunidad a centros educativos, centros comunitarios, empresas e instituciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales de disfrutar de tales proyecciones de forma gratuita.

Sobre el programa RDescubre
El programa RDescubre es una iniciativa de GFDD, que tiene como objetivo proporcionar a los estudiantes marginados y a las comunidades la oportunidad de participar en expediciones educativas en toda la República Dominicana para que puedan apreciar los hermosos paisajes del país y la riqueza de sus recursos naturales. Las expediciones conectan los estudiantes con el medio ambiente a través de experiencias positivas de inmersión en la naturaleza, motivándolos así a un mayor cuidado del ecosistema. Mediante estas aventuras los participantes se inspiran a convertirse en  activistas en las propias comunidades locales y a trabajar juntos por una causa común, a la misma vez inspirando otros a través del relato de sus experiencias.

Enlaces relacionados:
http://www.dominicanscreenings.org/
www.dreff.org
www.rdescubre.org

GFDD/Funglode participated at the 14th Youth Volunteering National Fair, hosted to celebrate Global Youth Service Day and to recognize the impact young people have in their communities.

The foundations joined with a stand promoting their programs and publications and showcasing opportunities for young people to volunteer at the Dominican Republic Film Festival (DREFF) and other projects. More than a thousand people walked by the stand and other participating organizations showed interest in DREFF too.

Organized by Sirve Quisqueya with the theme “Sustainable Development Goals”, the event was held within the framework of the Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), with the purpose of promoting volunteer opportunities to contribute to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, seeking to eradicate poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all, as part of a new development agenda.

The 14th Youth Volunteering National Fair took place among the activities based on the CARIFORUM-Dominican Republic’s project Support to Facilitate the Participation of Civil Society within the Process of Regional Development and Integration. This project is executed by Alliance NGO with the support of the European Union, within the framework of a financing agreement signed with the CARIFORUM.

Mallerlyn Lizardo, Alianza ONG’s Projects Technician, welcomed the audience and presented an account on the voluntary activities in the Civil Society Project-CARIFORUM.

Moreover, Luca Lo Conte, European Union Programs Official, stressed the interest of his organization in supporting development cooperation. “The European Union is the largest contributor of aid to development in the world. We support volunteering and are interested in working not only with governments, but also with a strengthened Dominican civil society. This is one of the goals of this project”, he said.

The Fair offered not only conferences but also artistic performances, from theater to music: Teatro Móvil, Jean Films, Grupo Músico Cultural Popular and Children International.

Among the participating organizations: ASODIFIMO, Academia de Actuación Jeam Films, Academia Dominicana de Bomberos, AIESEC, Alianza ONG, Asociación Tú Mujer, Acción Voluntaria, Children International, CIMUDIS, Dominican Republic Red Cross, Defensa Civil, Progresando con Solidaridad (PROSOLI), GFDD/Funglode, SERVIR-D, Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil, Dominicana Solidaria, LAZOS, Juventud Empoderada, TECHO, UNFPA, Voluntariado Juvenil de la Dirección General de Desarrollo Fronterizo, and Teatro Móvil.

The Fair was sponsored by Agua Planeta Azul, Molinos Modernos and PROSOLI.

Related Links:
www.globalfoundationdd.org
www.dreff.org

The US Director and the Dominican Director Pedro Urrutia teach a Globo Verde Domincano workshop to a group of 25 students interested in environmental and sustainable development cinema

Santo Domingo, April 11, 2016

A total of 25 filmmakers that are developing projects concerning environment and sustainable development in the Dominican Republic attended on April 8 and 9 the workshop: “From Idea to Screen: How to Make Environmental Documentaries”, organized by the Dominican Republic Film Festival (DREFF) and Globo Verde Dominicano Award. The participants worked personally with the instructors on the development of their short film ideas, the design of the main characters, writing the script, choosing a technical team, planning and preparing content, among others.

Suzan Beraza said at the conclusion of the workshop, “It’s exciting to see how more and more Dominicans are making films. It has been an incredible experience, wonderful students, and I’ve been very impressed to see how filmmakers’ work, over the last couple of years, out of the Dominican Republic has really improved.”

Moreover, Pedro Urrutia stressed: “I feel very happy because through my experience, and Suzan’s experience, we were able to talk to students not only about the theory, but also about practical aspects, explaining how is the filmmaking world out there, how they have to focus on having a precise idea and being able to expose it, and also on how to take it to the Globo Verde Dominicano contest.

Several of the participants will present their projects at the Globo Verde Dominicano Competition, which will be accepting entries until July 31, and May 31 for Globo Verde Junior. (For more information clic here)

Students were very satisfied with what they learned during the workshop and asked DREFF and GFDD to continue developing such initiatives. Francis Terrero, Cinema Production student at UASD explained at the end of the workshop his “great experience”. “They truly helped me in everything necessary to develop my idea. It’s an initiative I hope they will keep bringing. Thank you very much GFDD and Funglode for this opportunity.”

Also Vanessa Cortés expressed her gratitude and satisfaction for what learnt: “They helped me prepare the pitch, have an idea of the filming through examples, they showed us a bit about the handling of the camera, and I got to listen to other ideas, and develop new proposals together with other participants.”

About Globo Verde Dominicano
Globo Verde Dominicano Award, presented during the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, recognizes audiovisual materials with an environmental content that have been created by Dominican students and young professionals in the areas of cinema, photography, advertising, or related fields. The program encourages Dominican youth to create audiovisual materials that raise awareness about the importance of the environment and sustainable development.

The competition began in 2012 with the categories of Short Film and Public Service Announcement, and, in 2014, added a new category in the area of Photography. Last year, with the aim of giving an opportunity to young people and to promote the use of new technologies, the Globo Verde Junior category, exclusively for high school students, was launched.

Related Links:
www.globoverdedominicano.org
www.globalfoundationdd.org

North American director Suzan Beraza and Dominican director Pedro Urrutia will work personally with each participant to help them develop their short film ideas, design main characters, write the script, choose a technical team and plan and prepare content.

The Dominican Environmental Film Festival and Globo Verde Dominicano Award is organizing a free film workshop lab on April 8 & 9, to be held at Funglode. The workshop: “From Idea to Screen: How to Make Environmental Documentaries.” The instructors, North American director Suzan Beraza and Dominican director, Pedro Urrutia will work personally with each participant to help them develop their short film ideas, design main characters, write the script, choose a technical team and plan and prepare content. The projects will be sent to the Globo Verde Dominicano competition.

The goal of the workshop is to provide participants with the tools to develop an environmental documentary and introduce them to the world of documentary film production, while giving them good advice and tips on how to create a script, as well as production and post-production techniques. The workshop/lab is a “pitch session” wherein participants can put forward and “sell” (pitch) an idea for producing an environmental short film in the Dominican Republic.

Participants will receive personalized attention, an hour per project, as part of the workshop.

Instructors

Suzan Beraza: Born in Jamaica and raised in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Suzan Beraza directs films that invite viewers to examine their lives and consider the consequences of their decisions. Ms. Beraza founded the company, Reel Thing, where she serves as director, producer and editor, among other functions.

Pedro Urrutia: At the age of 19, Urrutia entered the world of film by working on well-known local productions. After completing his studies in Advertising Communications, he earned a scholarship to the New York Film Academy. Once he returned to his country, he founded Ave Studio, a production company that specialized in video clips. After setting up One Alliance Production Company under the Dominican Film Law, Urrutia made Código Paz, which premiered in 2014 to resounding national and international success.

Deadline for registration:  April 6, 2016

Email contact: lab@globoverdedominicano.org

More  information:
www.globoverdedominicano.org
http://www.globoverdedominicano.org/lab.php
www.globalfoundationdd.org