DREFF hosts a variety of social events for national and international guests

Santo Domingo, 9/10/2011

In addition to numerous film screenings, panel discussions and educational opportunities in the cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago, DREFF, in collaboration with Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) organized a series of activities designed to introduce international guests to the natural beauty and cultural wealth of the Dominican Republic.

On Saturday, September 10^th, a group of about 20 international filmmakers and environmentalists had the opportunity to experience first-hand the vibrant coral reefs off the coast of the Dominican Republic on an excursion to Catalina Island .  DREFF organized this activity as a complement to its extensive program of films, activities and panels featuring the marine life of the country, including the visit of the internationally renowned oceanographer, Sylvia Earle.  The guests departed from La Romana on a chartered catamaran and made a stop in the open water to snorkel "the wall," widely considered one of the best snorkeling locations in Dominican waters.  The catamaran then continued on to Catalina Island, another renowned snorkeling location, where guests enjoyed the beach, the reefs teeming with tropical marine life and a typical Dominican lunch.

On the final day of the festival, a group of about 15 international environmentalists and filmmakers toured Hacienda La Esmeralda, an organic cacao farm in the heart of the Dominican farmlands, where guests were guided through each of the steps necessary to produce quality cacao and chocolate products.  Each participant planted his/her own cacao plant, toured the growing, drying and production facilities and tasted both crude cacao and the final delectable chocolate product.  After a typical Dominican lunch, complete with a chocolate fountain, the guests saw a play and enjoyed some exciting salsa and merengue dancing.  This thorough immersion in Dominican culture was the perfect way to end the festival experience while at the same time allowing guests a glimpse into the cultivation and production of Dominican organic crops.

DREFF I, which took place in Santo Domingo and Santiago during September 2011, provided youth and general audiences the opportunity to watch dozen of the world's best, most beautiful, informative and educational environmental films of the year, and learn about pressing issues the world's ecology is facing.  Some of the themes examined included the subjects of pollution, climate change, biodiversity, forests and food security, globalization and consumption, and ocean conservation.

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