The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development Celebrates Eighth Annual Film Festival in Florida

Santo Domingo, September 11, 2024 (EFE). The film ‘Freddy’ and the recognition of filmmakers Alfonso Rodríguez and Blademil Grullón, solid contributors to the Dominican film industry, will be some of the highlights that will be featured in the eighth edition of the Dominican Film Showcase Florida (USA), announced the organizers this past Wednesday.

According to the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD-Florida), sister organization of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode) in the United States – and with the collaboration of the Santo Domingo Global Film Festival (FCGSD) – the film ‘Freddy’, produced by Giancarlo Beras-Goico, will distinguish the figure of Dominican television producer and philanthropist Freddy Beras-Goico in the emblematic Tower Theater in Miami on September 19.

In addition, said José J. Záiter, executive director of GFDD-Florida, Alfonso Rodríguez and Blademil Grullón will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the development of Dominican cinematography.

The event, which will bring together personalities and celebrities from the cultural, political and community sectors of the city of Miami and the Dominican Republic, will open with a red-carpet viewing.

This eighth edition will be attended by personalities such as former Dominican President Leonel Fernández, Guillermo Sención, baseball legend Juan Marichal, Yvette Marichal, Gian Carlos Beras-Goico, Seliné Méndez and the director of the Global Film Festival, Omar de la Cruz, among others.

Grullón and Rodríguez will join the list of people linked to the world of cinema who have been recognized in previous years for their contributions to the growth of the Dominican film industry such as Ellis Pérez, Yvette Marichal, Omar de la Cruz and Hans García.

In statements to the Spanish news agency EFE, Omar de la Cruz explained that the main objective of the event in the United States is to take Dominican cinema to “new frontiers, always accompanied by the true protagonists: Dominican filmmakers”.

He added that “thanks to the current film law, it has been possible to strengthen and promote the local film industry, allowing us to have productions to be proud of, as is the case of ‘Freddy'”.

In additional statements, Záiter said: “We are proud to promote our nation here in Florida, through an industry that generates so many direct benefits for the Dominican people”.

He added that GFDD-Florida has been a pioneering institution in the promotion of Dominican cinema in the state, consolidating itself as a benchmark in cultural dissemination.

The Dominican film festival is an initiative that was launched in 2008 in Los Angeles by former president Leonel Fernández, with the support of the then Dominican consul Celeste Jiménez.

Over time, the exhibition expanded to San Diego and later to New York City. Later on, the festival reached Florida where this year it will celebrate its eighth edition. EFE