Dozens of students from the health and education fields at the Catholic University of Technology of Barahona (UCATEBA, by its acronym in Spanish) participated in the screening of the documentary Extinction in Progress, as part of the year round environmental screenings of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF). This activity is part of the interagency agreement signed this year between the DREFF and the Red de Universidades Ambientales (RAUDO), through which, among other things, a schedule of projections is developed all-year-round.

Porfirio López Vasquez, Administrative Vice Chancellor of higher learning said that “the full activity surpassed all expectations for us and for a lot of our students because of the message with the film.”

Extinction in Progress is a documentary directed by Jürgen Hoppe and filmed in Haiti, the poorest of the Western Hemisphere, which relates the problem of the degradation of country’s natural resources. Today, the ecosystem of forests cover less than 2% of its territory and scientists predict a massive loss of biodiversity. During filming they discovered nearly 50 new species and rediscovered species that were originally thought to be lost, including one of the most endangered mammals in Hispaniola, the solenodonte (Solenodonparadoxus).

In this sense, the intention of DREFF is “to organize and support initiatives for sustainable development and protection of natural resources, and promote environmental awareness in the Dominican Republic,” explains the coordinator of environmental programs of GFDD/Funglode, Shamir Omar Reynoso.

The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, which this year celebrates its 5th edition from September 8 to 13, has created and developed five programs that operate freely throughout the year and contribute significantly to sustainable socioeconomic development in the Dominican Republic: EcoHuertos, ReCrearte, RDescrubre, the Globo Verde Dominicano Award, and Year-Round Environmental Film Screenings.

More information:
www.globalfoundationdd.org

The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) and the Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana (FUNIBER) hosted a lecture on sustainable development. The event was held at the Barceló Hotel in Santo Domingo with approximately 100 people in attendance.

Massiel Castro, Coordinator of FUNIBER in the Dominican Republic, gave the opening remarks and a briefing on FUNIBER’s work in the region.

The discussion covered the main results from Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD)’s publication, “Hacia el Desarrollo Sostenible y la Economía Verde en la República Dominicana” (Towards Sustainable Development and the Green Economy in the Dominican Republic), presented by Maria Victoria Abreu, GFDD’s International Relations and Socio-economic Development Project Manager, and was followed by a special screening of GFDD/Funglode’s short film, “Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience”. Both the presentation of the book and the short film generated an interesting conversation among the participants.

Ginny Heinsen, from the Centro para el Desarrollo Agropecuario y Forestal (CEDAF), presented the organization’s program on recycling and their upcoming beaches and coasts cleaning day.

This event is part of GFDD””s DREFF and FUNIBER agreement to promote sustainable development in the Dominican Republic.

More information:
www.dreff.org
www.funiber.org.do
www.cedaf.org.do

The prizewinning GFDD short film “Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience” has been selected to screen at the online Green Unplugged Festival, and will be available on the Culture Unplugged website from June to December 2015. This global online festival promotes restoring the wholeness of the environment through film.

Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director at GFDD and creator of “Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience”, says “Our vision is to create documentary films of social, environmental and cultural content that promote sustainable development in the Dominican Republic and around the world.” Following its successful screening as an official selection in thirteen international festivals, the film has won three prestigious international awards in 2014, including Best Documentary at the Green Lens Environmental Film Festival, 2nd Place Fan Coral Award at the Reef Renaissance Film Festival, and Best Documentary at the Miami Short Film Festival.

According to their mission statement, Green Unplugged is “a festival that aspires not only to witness the regeneration of the environment, but also to contemplate upon integral spiritual values which form our relationship with Mother Earth and fellow species.” Green Unplugged is an opportunity to reflect upon our collective conscious and the present human impulse that is participating in life’s creation process. With this event, the goal is to “envision what may help us harmonize our living and being—with authentic nature within and without.”

About the short film

“Garbage or Resource” was created in 2013 and explores the more than 340 open-air landfills which can be found in the Dominican Republic. These landfills have become highly-concentrated areas of air and water pollution and are an unseen danger for every Dominican. Fortunately, the country is witnessing cultural changes that are creating initiatives that convert this problem into an opportunity for development. The message is clear: trash is no longer just trash, it now has value. The film depicts how recycling has become an important economic opportunity for Dominicans. Through various corporate and educational projects, the viewer observes how—aside from the obvious environmental benefits—recycling enables economic development through the generation of new companies and industries.

To watch the video on GFDD’s YouTube channel:

The film will be available to view at Culture Unplugged online, along with others, until December 2015.

More information:
www.globalfoundationdd.org
http://www.cultureunplugged.com/
http://garbage.dreff.org

As part of the celebration of the Environment Week 2015, on June 2, Unibe hosted an orientation session on ReCrearte, GFDD/Funglode creative recycling program. A total of 65 students majoring in Marketing, Medicine and Advertising joined the “green” wave of creative recycling. In addition, after the lecture, the young people enjoyed GFDD’s award-winning documentary “Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience,” which provides an overview of solid waste management at the national level, and provides practical solutions for its management.

At the conclusion of the presentations, attendees enjoyed easy access to the craft pieces made by some of the finest ReCrearte program practitioners, arranged for display and sale at the university.

These activities are part of the Environment Week 2015, which has included a series of national and international documentaries –in the framework of the DREFF Environmental Film Screenings– aiming to raise awareness and deepen the understanding of the local public on environmental issues.

The ReCrearte program aims to raise public awareness on the three golden rules, or 3Rs, for the proper management of solid waste: reduce, reuse and recycle. The workshops demonstrate and underscore the idea that recycling waste and transforming it into art can strengthen both the individuals and the communities alike.

For more information:
www.globalfoundationdd.org
www.r3crearte.org

UNIBE formally opened Environment Week 2015 – dedicated this year to the prestigious biologist and environmentalist Celeste Mir– with a screening of Lago Enriquillo: Preludio del cambio climático (Lake Enriquillo: Prelude to Climate Change). The film’s director, Fernando Báez, was present at the event, which was organized through UNIBE’s partnership with the Dominican Environmental Film Festival, an initiative of GFDD/Funglode.

This documentary shows, in great detail, the origin and changes Lake Enriquillo has undergone for decades through the use of a historical collection of images captured by the lens of the film’s producer and director.

During Environment Week 2015, the Dominican Environmental Film Festival, (DREFF) – through its Environmental Films Projection program – will screen several movies and offer panels and workshops as part of an agreement recently signed between DREFF and the Environmental Network of Dominican Universities (RAUDO in Spanish). Through this agreement, both parties expressed their interest in supporting the development and promotion of activities aimed at increasing and deepening environmental awareness in the Dominican Republic and, especially, among universities.

The goal of GFDD/Funglode is to provide more information and expand understanding of environmental issues for the local public while also celebrating the beauty and diversity of the natural heritage of the Dominican Republic. It also provides insight into attitudes and actions that contribute to the protection and conservation of natural resources, and promotes awareness of the importance of sustainable socio-economic development in the Dominican Republic and abroad.

When the film was over, the students took part in a Q&A session about the documentary with director Fernando Báez.

The Year Round Environmental Film Screenings program provides an opportunity for schools, community centers, and businesses, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations, to enjoy the most interesting films that were screened at previous DREFF Festivals free of charge.

More information:
www.globalfoundationdd.org

The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic signed a collaboration agreement with the aim of promoting sustainable social-economic development and environmental awareness in the Dominican Republic. Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), and Bautista Rojas Gómez, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, signed the agreement, the goals of which include promoting a culture that encourages the proper management and use of natural resources in Dominican society.

Both institutions, according to the agreement, understand the importance of being catalysts for developing projects and programs that promote best practices in the area of environment and sustainable development. Programs and projects in these areas are the “fruit of interaction between young people and the general public with professors, experts, activists, filmmakers and leaders in public, private, national, and international sectors.”

According to the agreement, both parties will foster a culture that promotes the proper management and use of natural resources in Dominican society as well as elevate awareness of sustainable social-economic development in the country. This will be done while promoting the exchange of experiences, research, diffusion of knowledge, and environmental sensitivity in general in those areas wherein both have obvious interests.

Ms. Despotovic explained that the GFDD understands that in order to contribute to sustainable development in the country, it is of fundamental importance to join efforts and establish relationships between organizations and related initiatives,  “as the Foundation has been doing for the past 12 years.”

The agreement states that the Ministry will collaborate with activities undertaken by DREFF, held every September around the entire country. The Environment Ministry, among other things, will facilitate experts who will enrich the Festival’s panel discussion and workshops, which are part of the DREFF Festival.

In addition, the Environment Ministry will promote DREFF-related environmental programs held throughout the year, such as ReCrearte, EcoHuertos, Premio Globo Verde Dominicano, RDescubre, and the Environmental Film Screening program. DREFF, for its part, will support the diffusion of activities and programs planned by the Ministry with a view to raising environmental awareness and education throughout the country.

About DREFF

Since its inception in 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), provides the Dominican audiences a platform for knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable development, their issues and best practices, while celebrating the beauty and unique wealth of the Dominican nature.

Through the screening of a diverse selection of the best films that deal with issues of major national and international relevance, and the organization of discussion panels, courses, seminars, and field visits, DREFF not only promotes dialogue but also inspires the Dominican public to take action to ensure the health and sustainability of the environment.

Partnering with some of the most important institutions in the field, including the Green Film Network (GFN), every September, during each of its editions, DREFF organizes over 80 free screenings in 14 cities and nearly 30 venues throughout the Dominican Republic.

In keeping with the commitment of GFDD to contribute to the sustainable development of the Dominican Republic and of the world in a concrete way by creating practical platforms for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, DREFF has developed five programs that operate throughout the year and work closely with the community: ReCrearte, EcoHuertos, RDescubre, the Globo Verde Dominicano Award, and the Year-Round Environmental Film Screenings program.

Related links:
www.dreff.org

Seeking to encourage young Dominican filmmakers, the Globo Verde Dominicano Award and the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) presented yesterday in Santo Domingo, at Funglode’s headquarters, the workshop “Creating and developing concepts for short film documentaries”. During a lively class led by documentary filmmakers Suzan Beraza and David Byars, 60+ participants had the opportunity to learn basic techniques for developing a documentary film and some “secrets” to creating works of impact.

For example: how and where to find ideas; interviewing techniques and how to deal with characters and filming techniques, in addition to the basic structure of a documentary.
Suzan Beraza, founder of the Reel Thing company, in addition to having presented some of her documentaries, such as Bag-it and Uranium Drive-in, in previous editions of the DREFF, she is also part of the International Advisory Committee and has been a judge of the Globe Verde Dominicano Award.

For his part, David Byars, apart from being a director of independent documentaries, has also been a cameraman, editor and sound engineer of the documentary film Uranium Drive-in. Currently, both of them are filming in the city of Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic, the documentary film No soy puta (I Am Not a Whore!), which addresses sex tourism from the point of view of women.

The GFDD Multimedia Manager, Alexandra Tabar, encouraged young people to practice what they have learned in developing their projects, so that they can submit them to the fourth edition of the competition, which will announce the winners during the fifth edition of the DREFF, scheduled to take place between September 8 and 13, 2015.

As part of the workshop, the Globo Verde Dominicano Award also gave 10 participants the opportunity to receive one-on-one guidance from Beraza and Byars, who served as mentors to the winners in their respective projects.

The Globo Verde Dominicano Award seeks to encourage young Dominicans to make films and documentaries capable of raising awareness on the importance and preservation of the environment and sustainable development.

Related Links:
www.globoverdedominicano.org
www.dreff.org

The Dominican Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) and its Globo Verde Dominicano Award are organizing a free workshop for young filmmakers as well as a chance for 10 participants to receive personalized professional advice.

The goal of the workshop, “Creating and Developing Concepts for Short Documentaries” for young filmmakers and potential competitors of the fourth edition of the Globo Verde Dominicano competition, seeks to encourage students and professionals to create audiovisual material capable of generating awareness around the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Suzan Beraza, founder of the “Reel Thing”  and director of such documentaries as Bag It! and Uranium Drive-In – both previously screened at DREFF – along with David Byars, documentary and short film director, will talk about generating ideas and how to develop them when the time comes to make a short documentary.

As a complement to the workshop, the Globo Verde Dominicano Award will give ten participants the opportunity to receive personalized advice, wherein filmmakers can present their ideas and receive comments and feedback from Ms. Beraza and Mr. Byars.

The event will be held on Thursday, May 14th at the offices of the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode), at 6:00 PM.

The Globo Verde Dominicano Award recognizes the best audiovisual work concerning the environment, and exhibits it to a national and international audience. In 2015, the fourth version of the competition will consist of four categories: Short Films, Public Service Announcements, Photography, and a special category for High School students, Globo Verde Junior.

Related links:

www.globoverdedominicano.org

www.dreff.org

The Environmental Network of Dominican Universities (RAUDO by its Spanish acronym), has signed an agreement with the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), where both sides expressed interest in supporting the diffusion and development of activities to raise environmental awareness in the country, particularly in universities.

Rosaura Pimentel, Coordinator of the Master of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering from the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC by its Spanish acronym) and President of RAUDO, signed the agreement with Natasha Despotovic, Director of DREFF and Executive Director of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD).

RAUDO and its member universities in its various campuses will provide the venues for screenings, panel discussions, and workshops held during DREFF, in addition to technical assistance, according to the agreement. Likewise, the institution will contribute to the diffusion of DREFF’s year round programming and initiatives among students and teachers. Meanwhile, DREFF will collaborate with RAUDO initiatives, particularly the Sustainability on College Campuses Forum, held in November each year.

The collaboration between the two institutions will start immediately, with the projection of a series of environmental films to the university community of INTEC on May 12, 13, and 14.

About RAUDO

RAUDO is an association of Dominican universities that works to contribute to the sustainable development of the country through teaching, research, and the dissemination of knowledge related to environmental issues. It consists of 16 universities: INTEC, who chairs the 2013- 2014 board; APEC University (UNAPEC); the Technological Institute of the Cibao Oriental (ITECO); the National Evangelical University (UNEV); the Open University for Adults (UAPA); the Catholic University of Santo Domingo (UCSD); the National University Pedro Henriquez Urena (UNPHU); the Universidad Católica Nordestana (UCNE); the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD); the Catholic University of Technology of Cibao (UCATECI); the Technological University of Santiago (UTESA); the Barahona Catholic University of Technology (UCATEBA); the Universidad Central del Este (UCE); the Universidad Agroforestal Fernando Arturo de Meriño (UAFAM); and ISA University.

About DREFF

Since its inception in 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), an initiative of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), provides Dominican audiences a platform for knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable development, and their issues and best practices, while celebrating the beauty and unique wealth of the Dominican nature.

Through the screening of a diverse selection of the best films that deal with issues of major national and international relevance, and the organization of discussion panels, courses, seminars, and field visits, DREFF not only promotes dialogue but also inspires the Dominican public to take action to ensure the health and sustainability of the environment.

More information: www.dreff.org

The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), a Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) initiative, signed an agreement with India’s International Environment and Wildlife Film Festival and Forum, CMS Vatavaran. With this agreement, DREFF expands its outreach by partnering with a festival in Asia, reinforcing its mission of developing global networks for the discussion of pressing issues and possible solutions.

With this partnership, both festivals—members of the Green Film Network (GFN), an association that gathers the best environmental film festivals from around the world—agree to jointly promote environmental consciousness and sustainable development in the world through environmental film screenings, workshops, seminars, and other related activities. In addition, in the context of this agreement, DREFF and CMS Vatavaran will promote each other’s films in their respective programs.

About DREFF
Since its inception in 2011, DREFF has provided Dominican audiences with a platform for knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable development, bringing awareness to important issues and best practices—while also celebrating the splendid beauty and abundance of the Dominican’s natural heritage through extraordinary environmental films.

In addition to the diverse selection of the best films that deal with issues of major national and international relevance, DREFF also organizes discussion panels, courses, seminars, and field visits to not only promotes dialogue, but also inspire the Dominican public to take action to preserve the health and sustainability of the environment.

For more information visit: www.dreff.org

About CMS Vatavaran
Since 2002, CMS, a committed research and advocacy think-tank established in India, has been pioneering international environment and wildlife festivals and forums—known as CMS Vatavaran. “Vatavaran” is a Hindi word meaning that which environs or surrounds; surrounding conditions, influences, or forces by which living forms are influenced and modified in their growth and development. Aptly named,CMS Vatavaran’s mission is to encourage and feature high-quality environment films and informative forums that generate better perceptions, practices, and policies for preserving and conserving the environment and wildlife. These international films break down cultural barriers of language and class to spread awareness through a powerful visual medium, strengthening collaboration through dialogue and debate across all sectors of society.

For more information visit: http://vat2015.cmsvatavaran.org/know-us/about-cms-vatavaran/

About Green Film Network
Green Film Network (GFN) is a network that helps coordinate and promote many of the major environment film festivals from around the world. Presently, there are more than 20 worldwide environment film festivals. GFN’s goal is to encourage a pro-environment culture through cinema. The network is also a meeting point for all associated festivals to meet and exchange information and cinematographic experiences, as well as improve and promote films and authors they consider worthy of note. Each festival that participates in the network also actively works on environmental projects by setting up workshops, holding debates and events, completing joint activities, and laying the foundation for discussion and research that profoundly influences the public, particularly young students in schools. Ultimately, GFN hopes to create a new culture that prioritizes the importance of the relationship between man and his natural environment.

For more information visit: http://greenfilmnet.org/about/