Second Dominican Republic Global Film Festival Holds Presentation Event in Santiago

The Second Dominican Republic Global Film Festival – an initiative of the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) – was launched today among a small group of media directors and journalists in Santiago at a cocktail party in the Gran Theater of Cibao. Santiago, the second most important Dominican city, is one of the
five cities where the Festival’s competition will be held on November 18-23. The other cities hosting the festival are Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Nagua and Higüey.

The guests were welcomed by the Festival’s Local Production Director, Yamile Eusebio; Technical Director, Omar de la
Cruz; and Santiago Advisory Committee Member and Deputy Minister of Culture, Enegildo Peña. The guests attended the showing of the Festival’s institutional video prepared by GFDD and FUNGLODE’s Audiovisual Department. In addition, they were provided with details about the Festival’s webpage: www.drglobalfilmfestival.org.  They also had the opportunity to speak at
length with DRGFF Staff.

A total of 36 feature-length fiction and documentary films have been confirmed to be screened during the second edition of the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival, which will be celebrated November 19-23, 2008. Under its motto, Global Issues, Personal Stories, the Festival – an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) – will bring the Dominican Republic, the best of international film, while at the same time offering opportunities for learning, professional development and the creation of professional networks. The complete program, as well as all press releases and festival updates may be found on the Festival’s webpage at: www.drglobalfilmfestival.org. The film, Captain Abu Raed will be shown in Santiago during the Opening Ceremony on November 18.

Natasha Despotovic, DRGFF Director, GFDD Executive Director and FUNGLODE Vice President, and Nicole Guillemet, DRGFF Programming and Production Consultant,
lead the international and multidisciplinary team that during the first edition in 2006, achieved great success by bringing high quality productions to the country. In 2007, the Festival was cancelled days before due to the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Noel.

A One of a Kind Festival

Although film festivals of different magnitudes and themes abound worldwide, the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival is unique for various reasons. “It is the only one that simultaneously presents films in five cities throughout the country. It is the only one that brings films to public university auditoriums and works directly with schools. It is truly extraordinary in its mission to promote
the cinematographic arts as a means of furthering understanding of the world and topics of contemporary global importance,” affirmed Despotovic. In addition to being an event organized by non-profit organizations, the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival distinguishes itself by serving as a model platform from which to project the country as an ideal destination for the filming a