Cuba Welcomes with Great Enthusiasm Dominican Environmental Films and Recycled Art

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 12th 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
www.dreff.org
http://festivalcinepobre.cult.cu/