The Globo Verde Junior category of DREFF’s Globo Verde Dominicano Award has extended the registration deadline until July 31 , the same deadline for the other three categories : Short Film, Public Service Announcements and Photography. The Globo Verde Dominicano Award, the first contest of audiovisual in the environmental area in the Dominican Republic, created the Junior category last year with the aim of promoting interest in environmental film among young people and encourage their training in new technologies.

The contest, which objective is to promote reflection on the reality of the Dominican environment and sustainable development and their implications, has four categories: Short Films, Globo Verde Junior, Public Service Announcements and Photography. In the Short Film and Globo Verde Junior categories, the film presented must not exceed 15 minutes in length; entries for the Public Service Announcement category must not be more than 40 seconds in length. Genre is open, however, with the necessary condition that the topic must be about the environment and its numerous and varied artistic angles. In the Photography category, three (3) entries per contestant may be presented that fulfill the theme selected by the jury, which will be different each year. This year (2016), the theme is: I am sustainable. The images will reflect programs, projects, initiatives and people who work to benefit the environment and sustainable development in all aspects in the Dominican Republic. The theme this year seeks to promote the program of the United Nations, including Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. For more information and ideas on these issues, visit the DREFF blog (blog.dreff.org)

The Globo Verde Dominicano Award is a unique opportunity for filmmakers, students and young professionals who want to venture into a fairly uncharted area in the Dominican Republic -the creation of environmental audiovisual material- as well as to show their work to a national and international audience as part of each edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, which is held every September, and at other international festivals.

The electronic registration form is available on the competition website at www.globoverdedominicano.org where the rules for each category can also be found. Those interested in obtaining additional information can submit their questions via social networks on Facebook and Twitter (@GloboVerdeDR), or via email at info@globoverdedominicano.org

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

Washington, D.C., – Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD)’s latest production, the short film Value of Life, has been selected to participate at the 5^th edition of Bangalore Shorts Film Festival 2016 (BDFF), which will take place June 12 in Bangalore, India.

The festival, created in 2012 to mark the 100 years celebration of Indian cinema, provides a platform to aspiring and professional filmmakers for showcasing their talent and networking and marketing opportunities in film industry.  As explained by its organizers the festival’s objectives are: to generate a short films culture in India, promote upcoming filmmakers, and develop sources of revenue generation for short films and to make short film making a commercial enterprise.

Value of Life, produced by GFDD executive director Natasha Despotovic and Alexandra Tabar, exposes the little value that is placed on natural capital when looking at growth equations and socioeconomic development. It is difficult for big businesses, and more so for ordinary people, to quantify the significance of natural resources and make the value of nature tangible in our daily lives. The new GFDD production responds to those questions: How much is the natural capital of the Dominican Republic worth? How do we put a price on the ecosystem the planet has given us and that allows us to survive?

As Natasha Despotovic explains “GFDD, making environmental films, encourages other Dominican directors to follow their steps, promoting sustainable development in the country”. It’s an honor for GFDD to participate and promote its productions in renowned film festivals such as BSFF.

In this year alone, other than in Bangalore, Value of Life has been presented in three different international festivals: DCEFF in Washington, D.C.; Festival de Cine Pobre de Gibara, Holguín (Cuba), and Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF) in New York.

Related Links:
https://filmfreeway.com/festival/BangaloreShortsFilmFestival16

GFDD/Funglode and DREFF, through their program Year Round Environmental Film Screenings, presented on May 13 a special screening of the documentary La Montaña, which was attended by 60 students enrolled in their last year of studies at Liceo Científico Dr. Canela Lázaro, in the Hermanas Mirabal Province.

As explained the GFDD Coordinator of Environmental Programs, Omar Shamir Reynoso, the activity is part of a program on care for the environment that will have its culmination with the excursion to Pico Duarte at the end of the school year organized by another GFDD program, RDescubre, and aims to train future professionals, encourage them in best practices for each of the challenges that life will present and sensitize them on the importance of striving in the achievement of their goals.

Since 2012 the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), in collaboration with Karim Mella’s Fundación Siempre Más, takes the documentary La Montaña to different screens throughout the Dominican Republic. The objective is to turn these young people into protectors of the environment, while they test and learn the value of personal effort, team work, camaraderie and discipline, as well as the skills necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve their personal goals.

About Year Round Environmental Film Screenings
As part of its mission to reach more communities, institutions and individuals around the country, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) 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.

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

The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) and its program of Environmental Film Screenings – both GFDD initiative – supports the mission of IDADR program Eco-Schools, a project of international environmental certification awarded to schools that develop programs and projects for education and participation, where the children and friends of the school are involved in the implementation of environmental improvements in the institution and the community. For this purpose, Environmental Film Screenings program presented the documentaries The Change, Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience, and Plastic Paradise in two academic institutions, on May 12.

The objective is, as explains the GFDD Coordinator of Environmental Programs of GFDD, Omar Shamir Reynoso, “to provide, through cinema, ideas and actions that contribute to the protection of natural resources and promote the importance of sustainable development in the Dominican Republic.”

More than 40 students of Fomerio Rodriguez Elementary School, located in Brisas de Caucedo, in the Municipal District of La Caleta enjoyed the short films The Change and Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience – produced by GFDD-presenting concise and accurate actions on good environmental practices to viewers.

Similarly, the Instituto Politécnico de Haina hosted the projection of a revealing documentary, Plastic Paradise, which stresses the problem of plastic since its invention until the beginning of the 21st century. More than 50 students from the academic institution attended to the event.

Since the creation in 2011 of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), GFDD has shaped and developed 5 programs throughout the year that contribute significantly to the environmental and sustainable development of the Dominican Republic: EcoHuertos, ReCrearte, RDescubre, Globo Verde Dominicano Award and Year Round Environmental Film Screenings.

About Year Round Environmental Film Screenings
As part of its mission to reach more communities, institutions and individuals around the country, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) 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.

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

The Lawyers Association for the Protection of the Environment (INSAPROMA for its acronym in Spanish), in coordination with FUNIBER and within the framework of the DREFF’s program Year Round Environmental Film Screenings, screened at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), GFDD/Funglode latest production Value of Life. Directed by Natasha Despotovic, the documentary features the importance of the natural value of the Dominican Republic and the main challenges the country is facing to achieve socioeconomic sustainability, as well as some of the best practices being applied in the area.

The screening complemented a keynote speech by the Director of Fundación Empresa & Clima Elvira Carles, who addressed climate change in both the local and international context. The event was organized within the Environmental Law and Management Certificate course offered by INSAPROMA.

The activity attended by around 30 students aimed, as explains the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) Coordinator of Environmental Programs, Omar Shamir Reynoso, to create awareness among the participants about the impact of climate change; as well as to show proposals for its mitigation and adaptation, and clarify what are the tools needed to meet the commitments and challenges. In addition, emphasis was given to the importance that all citizens play an active role in environmental protection, and the implications of the recent Paris agreement.

About Year Round Environmental Film Screenings
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.

For more information:
www.globalfoundationdd.org

The Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana (Funiber) organized yesterday the Conference “Effects of Climate Change Globally and in the Dominican Republic”, addressed to professionals in the environmental sector, and companies and professionals interested in issues related to the phenomenon of climate change and how to face it. As part of the activity, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), within the framework of the program Year Round Environmental Film Screenings, presented their latest documentary, Value of Life. The short film shows how historically little value has been placed on natural capital when looking at growth equations and socioeconomic development, and highlights the most outstanding initiatives that public and private companies are developing to support sustainable development in the Dominican Republic.

The keynote presentation was given by the Director of the Fundación Empresa & Clima, Elvira Carles, who addressed climate change in both the local and international context.

The event, as explained by its organizers, aimed to create awareness among the participants about the impact of climate change; as well as to show proposals for its mitigation and adaptation, and clarify what are the tools needed to meet the commitments and challenges. In addition, emphasis was given to the importance that all citizens play an active role in environmental protection, and the implications of the recent Paris agreement.

About the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (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 Year Round Environmental Film Screenings
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.

Within the framework of the GFDD and DREFF program Year Round Environmental Film Screenings, yesterday the Pediatric Hospital Doctor Hugo Mendoza in Santo Domingo hosted the screening of the documentary A Thirsty World, within the programming of the Environmental Week that the medical center is celebrating these days. The hospital aims to be the first green institution of health in the Dominican Republic.

Before the screening, and with the aim of promoting among medical staff and administrative personnel protection of the environment and green practices, a panel on environmental best practices was held.

Director of the medical center, Dr. Noldis Naut Suberví, welcomed the more than 70 participants stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy environment and emphasizing the role of water in the life of human beings.

A Thirsty World is a documentary produced by the French Yann Arthus-Bertrand, which revolves around one of the greatest challenges to human survival: water. Today, with the increase in the world population and the devastating impact of climate change, water has become one of the most valued natural resources of the planet. The film, shot in 20 countries, reveals the fascinating and mysterious world of freshwater, with spectacular aerial images taken in different regions of difficult access, rarely filmed, as southern Sudan or the north of Congo. Thus we discover the most beautiful landscapes of our planet, the lakes, rivers and wetlands created by the water.

About the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (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 Year Round Environmental Film Screenings
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.

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