I Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival 

Santo Domingo, 8/02/2011

Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister institution in the DR Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) announced the dates of a new initiative, the DR Environment Film Festival, which will be held 7-11 September in Santo Domingo and Santiago, Dominican Republic.

The Festival will provide youth and general audiences the opportunity to watch some dozen of the best and most beautiful, informative and educational environmental international films of the year, and learn about the current pressing issues the world’s ecology is facing.

Some of the themes the selected films will address to its audiences concern pollution, climate change, biodiversity, forests and food security, globalization and consumption, and oceans.

The Festival will offer ample opportunities for spectators to interact with leading figures in the environmental community - producers, directors, researchers, adventurers, and explorers- through a series of expert panels, and “hands on’ workshops and possibly collaborate on national and international programs that highlight best practices and support the sustainable development of the country. To that end, more than 50 national and international panelists and environment advocates will come together to appreciate and value the diversity and beauty the country has to offer and promote greater environmental stewardship.

About the Festival

GFDD and FUNGLODE embraces the creation of this new initiative with high expectations to reach out to the youth of the Dominican Republic, opening a world of beauty, information, and sense of pride.

The environment has been at the forefront of GFDD and FUNGLODE’s mission since its very beginnings. The Foundation’s work in the development of national and international networks, the discussion of critical issues, training programs that have brought national experts together with the most prominent international leaders in the field, comes to fruition now with the creation of an Environmental Film Festival as a natural addition to its environmental program.

The Festival brings together youth, scholars, experts, activists, filmmakers, representatives of the public and private sector, non-governmental enthusiasts to promote dialogue and inspire Dominican audiences to adopt practices that will ensure the country’s environmental sustainability and health.

The films will be screened at the FUNGLODE auditorium, the UASD in Santo Domingo, and Centro Leon in Santiago.