GFDD and FUNGLODE Participate in DFFNY Press Conference

Thursday June 13th, 2013

New York, 6/13/13

On June 13, at Claro Negro Lounge in Upper Manhattan, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) participated in a press conference in the event of the Dominican Film Festival in New York (DFFNY). The Festival that will be held from June 26-30, 2013 at the Alumni Auditorium, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, and is in part made possible through the collaboration and support of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development.

Launched in 2011 by Cine Art Entertainment Productions, the DFFNY promotes a new generation of Dominican filmmakers as well as established ones, its film industry and strengthens the vital and expanding economic and cultural relationship with the United States. DFFNY aims to keep New York City audiences informed about Dominican Cinema and its relation to the history, politics and social life, as treated by the film makers, through the subject matter and aesthetic approach.

During the press-conference, with the participation of reputed Dominican film makers such as, Gary Terracino, Director of Elliot Loves, Christopher James Lopez, Director of The Cure, the short nominated for the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, and Freddy Vargas, Director of the short Milk of Hope, emphasized, once again, the role of this showcase for enriching the diverse cultural life of New York City.

For 2013, the Dominican Film Festival, under the leadership of Armando Guareño, will feature more than 20 films from the Dominican Republic made by Dominican filmmakers that will take moviegoers on a spectacular cinematographic journey. The Festival will host a series of red carpet premieres, industry panels, and exclusive parties as part of the 5-day event.

Armando Guareño’s hard work to make the Festival happen was acknowledged by New York City Council represented at the press-conference by Ydanis Rodriguez. “Putting Dominican culture into the spotlight with events like DFFNY, Armando encourages the young Dominican talents and provides a different vision of our country which goes beyond the habitual blue-ocean-and-white- sand post card,” remarked Mr. Rodriguez.

In the course of the briefing, it was reiterated the importance of GFDD’s collaboration which has resulted in more quality Dominican-focused films in an effort to present the Dominican Republic under a constructive, positive and engaging light. The featured films will include La Hija Natural, El Rey de Najayo, Pelotero and La Lucha de Ana, covering a range of universal themes, such as love, redemption, perseverance, humour and growth. Additionally, one of the Festival days will be dedicated to GFDD produced shorts, Pico Duarte, Lago Enriquillo, and the winner of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) Globo Verde Dominicano 2012 Award, De Espaldas al Mar. By showcasing the short films, GFDD will contribute to the Festival’s more diversity in terms of the movie genres bringing to the fore the question of raising public awareness about emerging environmental issues.

 

 

Fotos: Emmanuel Espinal y Nelson Santana

About GFDD supported films, schedules and times:
La Hija Natural (Love Child )
Director: Leticia Tonos
The film focuses on Maria, who as a child was a simple and sensitive young girl with the strange habit of putting ladybugs in her mouth. After her mother dies in an accident, 18 year-old María decides to look for the father she has never met.

 

Pelotero: Ballplayer
Directors: Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin, Jon Paley
In the run-up to the most important day of their lives, two young Dominican baseball players confront competition and corruption to achieve their Big-League dreams.

 

 

La Lucha de Ana (Anna’s Struggle)
Director: Bladimir Abud
La Lucha de Ana is the story of Ana, a flower seller who seeks justice for a murdered son.

 

 

El Rey de Najayo (The King of Najayo)
Director: Fernando Baez
El Rey de Najayo is the dramatic story of Julian, a Dominican drug lord who despite his confinement in prison, was still able to maintain Dominican society in a state of suspense, for over 13 years.

 

Series of Short Films produced by GFDD and FUNGLODE:
Primera Expedición Educacional al Pico Duarte (First Educational Expedition to Pico Duarte)
De Espaldas al Mar (With Our Backs to the Ocean)
Crecida de los Lagos Enriquillo y Azuei, estudio de un caso y sus posibles implicaciones globales (The Growth of Lake Enriquillo: Environmental, Social and Scientific Implications)

The series of short films masterly depict the enchanting nature of the Dominican republic, particularly its coastal and marine ecosystems. The shorts raise the problem of environment protection and the contribution of the society to preserve it.

About Cine Art
Established in 2009, Cine Art is a full service production and event management company, specializing in the drama, video, event management and the new media for the fashion, beauty and TV industry. Cine Art engages a pool of talented professionals who enjoy the challenge of creating and organizing innovative videos, TV productions and events.

Locations:
Alumni Auditorium
Dominican Studies Institute
United Palace
DFFNYC: Full Schedule: http://dffnyc.com/schedule.html

For more information: margaret@globalfoundationdd.org