Dominican Films and Activists Will Be Part of the 2018 DC Environmental Film Festival

February 27, 2018

In 2018, the 26th annual DC Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) will honor environmental heroes with ‘Stories from the Frontlines’. Whether it is wildlife conservation, habitat protection, clean drinking water or clean air, DCEFF films and speakers will reflect the action and the passion of those who are working on the battle lines to protect and preserve the environment for us and for future generations. More than 100 films will be screened to audiences of more than 30,000 Washingtonians.

Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), and its Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), as DCEFF partners and co-members of the Green Film Network (GFN), will have a special program as part of this year’s DCEFF, as it has done in the past. “Local Stories of Environmental Success: The 2018 Dominican Night at DCEFF” will bring two new environmental Dominican films and panel discussions with the filmmakers on a free admission event, Monday, March 19^th, 2018 at 7:00pm at the E Street Cinema.  

Aristolochias of Haiti
(9 mins)
Eladio Fernandez, Dominican conservation photographer from the iLCP, takes us to Haiti on an expedition to find a new species of Aristolochia (pipe vine) and another that had not been seen for 90 years.
Director: Eladio Fernández

Cacú: Un Cambio por la Vida
(79 mins)
Five fishermen from Manresa, a poor neighborhood to the West of Santo Domingo, transitioned from sea turtle nest predators to conservationists of the species. Their 4-year transformative process was documented by marine biologist Omar Shamir Reynoso, who implemented a one-of-a-kind plan in the Dominican Republic that involves fishermen and communities alike in conservation efforts. 
Director: Marvin del Cid

When: Monday, March 19, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. 
Where: E Street Cinema Washington, DC
Free event. Limited seating. 

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/environmental-film-festival-cacu-un-cambio-por-la-vida-tickets-43357753207

More information: www.dceff.org

Additionally, on Tuesday, March 20^th, GFDD and DREFF will host a special side event as part of DCEFF program, “Environmental Journalism and Activism: Creating and Sharing the Frontline Stories”, a discussion with Dominican Activist Eladio Fernández and Guatemalan-Dominican Journalist Marvin del Cid, with international filmmakers, journalists, activists and experts from around the world. That event will be held at 11:00 a.m. at GFDD-DC offices, 1629 K Street NW, Suite 1100. Washington, DC 20006. More information: mabreu@dreff.org