The Second Annual Dominican Film Festival in New York City is Made Possible with Collaboration and Support of GFDD and FUNGLODE

New York, May 21, 2013

In collaboration with Cine-Art, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) will appear as a partner and supporter for the Dominican Film Festival in New York (DFFNY) that will be held from June 26-30, 2013 at the Alumni Auditorium, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City.

Launched in 2011 by Cine Art Entertainment Productions, the Dominican Film Festival aims to keep New York City film lovers in the know about Dominican Cinema and its relation to the history, politics and social life of Dominican culture.

Now in its 2nd year, the Dominican Film Festival’s mission is to promote the best in the emerging generation of Dominican filmmakers as well as the established one, its film industry and to strengthen the vital and expanding economic and cultural relationship between the Dominican Republic and the United States.

For 2013, the Dominican Film Festival in New York, under the leadership of Armando Guerena, will bring together emerging talent and industry professionals for a 5-day celebration of Dominican cinema, with the goal to enrich the artistic experience of New York’s diverse cultural population.

As a partner of DFFNY, GFDD will come out with quality Dominican-focused films in an effort to present the Dominican Republic under a constructive, positive and engaging light while at the same time introducing the work of young Dominican filmmakers to a new audience. The featured films will include La Hija Natural, El Rey de Najayo, Pelotero and La Lucha de Ana,coveringa range of universal themes, such as love, redemption, perseverance, humor and growth. Additionally, one of the 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. All films will be in Spanish with English subtitles.

About films:
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)

Crecida de los Lagos Enriquillo y Azuei, estudio de un caso y sus posibles implicaciones globales

Primera Expedición Educacional al Pico Duarte

De Espaldas al Mar

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.

Place of venue
Alumni Auditorium
Columbia University Medical Center
650 West 168th street
New York

For more information: margaret@globalfoundationdd.org