Praising Dominican Natural Beauty and Creating Environmental Awareness at the DCEFF

March 20, 2016

There were conversations about environmental awareness and sustainable development as well as praise for the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic. Film was once again used not just for entertainment but as a vehicle to show the world the issues that most matter and to spread the word about them, because they are after all, global and touch us all. A sign in front of the Gala Theater in Washington D.C. read “tickets sold out” for the Noche Dominicana (Dominican Night) organized by GFDD and DREFF yesterday as part of the DC Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF).

Members of the Dominican community in Washington, film buffs and environmental activists filled the packed room in a double celebration: a celebration of Dominican environmental film and a celebration of the DR’s extraordinary biodiversity.

It was a wonderful opportunity to promote the objective of the GFDD, which is to facilitate the enrichment of the film culture in the Dominican Republic and to publicize its unique brand to the international audiences.

Three Dominican films were shown: Valor Vital (most recent GFDD production), 7 Gramos (winner of the Globo Verde Dominicano Award 2015), and Reserva de la Biosfera: Jaragua, Bahoruco, Enriquillo (directed by Máximo José Rodríguez).

“We are proud to present, once again, to such a distinguished international audience, the films made in the Dominican Republic by Dominican filmmakers,” explained GFDD and DREFF Executive Director, Natasha Despotovic.

The evening event was presented by María Victoria Abreu, DREFF Director of Programming who, after the screenings, conducted a question and answer session between the audience and co-director of 7 Gramos, Hadzael Gómez and Lisette Fernández, wife of late film director Máximo José Rodríguez. Lisette Fernández is the executive producer of the vast majority of her husband’s documentaries.

A posthumous tribute was given to the director during the event. In addition to being a great friend and collaborator, Rodriguez was a member of the DREFF National Advisory Committee. “A generous human being, Max used his extraordinary talent, dedication and passion to develop documentary film productions that captured the beauty, diversity and natural wealth of the Dominican Republic,” said Ms. Despotovic, GFDD Executive Director.

For her part, Lisette Fernández, accompanied by her three children, said: “For me and my children, this event has been extremely meaningful, it has touched our hearts. The idea of showing his films in the United States as part of the DCEFF. This recognition of Máximo, honoring his memory, and paying tribute to his life…a life full of passion for nature, the environment and natural resources of the Dominican Republic combined with his passion for art. A legacy of life, love and hope for the future of our country.”

Hadzael Gómez expressed his appreciation for having been a part of this year’s Noche Dominicana celebration. “Although it sounds cliché, I have no words to express the emotions of this night, being at the oldest environmental film festival in the world. To have our small contribution of work represent us as Dominicans is a great source of pride and joy.” Mr. Gomez, along with Jonatan Vila, won the Globo Verde Dominicana Award last year. Part of the prize was to be able to screen his winning film at an international festival and to attend as a guest. “It is an excellent opportunity to see the best films of this genre and to meet some of the best directors in the world,” he stressed.

Members of the DCEFF
For the past five years, as part of the program of the Environmental Film Festival at the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) 2016, the DREFF has organized Noche Dominicana. In keeping with what Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of the GFDD and DREFF said about the Festival, “we very much value our partnership with our friends at DCEFF. In fact, they served as an inspiration for the creation of our own festival, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival.”

More about the films

About DREFF
Since its creation 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF)- an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode) -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.

About DCEFF
The Environmental Film Festival at the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) is the world’s premiere showcase of environmentally themed films. Each March in Washington, DC, the Festival presents more than 150 films to an audience of over 33,000. DCEFF program includes thematic discussions and social events, film screenings at museums, embassies, libraries, universities and local theaters. Founded in 1993, DCEFF is the largest and longest-standing environmental film festival in the United States. It has grown into a major collaborative cultural event both during the festival and all year round.