Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival Joins Forces with Universidad APEC to Celebrate 2012 Environment Week

New York, May 31, 2012

As part of its mission to elevate awareness of environmental challenges and to promote protection of the natural world and its resources, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), is joining forces with Universidad APEC in celebration the 2012 Environment Week.

All scheduled events will take place June 5-8, 2012 at the Leonel Rodríguez Rib Auditorium on Campus I, Dr. Nicolás Pichardo of Universidad APEC in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

DREFF will be contributing to the program via the organization of environmental documentary film screenings, an informational presentation of GFDD's Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment, and the launch of a photography exposition to feature images from the highly esteemed encyclopedic dictionary.

Schedule of GFDD-UNAPEC joint events:

Tuesday, June 5
8:00 pm – Presentation of GFDD's Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment

The Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment masterfully unites information on the environment and natural resources of the Dominican Republic. The dictionary compiles information on diverse areas, such as terrestrial zones, natural resources, environmental legislation, biodiversity, urbanization, sustainable development and watershed systems. The one-of-a-kind publication is sure to serve as an important reference for generations of high school and university students and environmentalists. The dictionary represents the most complete source of information on the environment and national resources of the Dominican Republic, including an incredible 712 defined environmental terms, 58 table sets, 123 graphics, 19 scientific articles and over 900 photos.

The presentation will be followed by 10 poster exhibit which highlights the diversity of topics and terms found in the Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment.

Wednesday, June 6
5:15 pm – 6:45 pm: Screening of Journey to Planet Earth: Plan B: Mobilizing to Save Civilization
USA, 2011 - 83 min, Director: Hal Weiner

Called "one of the world's most influential thinkers" by The Washington Post, environmentalist Lester Brown is the recipient of a MacArthur Genius Award, the United Nations Environmental Prize and Japan's Blue Planet Prize. Shot on location in Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, New Delhi, Rome, Istanbul, Ankara and Washington, D.C., the film features Lester Brown's recent visit with world leaders to discuss ways to respond to the challenges of climate change. It begins with a dramatic portrayal of a world where there is a mounting tide of public concern about melting glaciers and sea level rise and a growing sense that we need to change course in how we react to emerging economic and social pressures.

The film also spotlights a world where ocean resources are becoming scarce, croplands are eroding and harvests are shrinking. But what makes Plan B significant and timely is that it provides audiences with hopeful solutions – a road map that will help eradicate poverty, stabilize populations and protect and restore our planet's fisheries, forests, soils and biological diversity.

Friday, June 8
5:15 pm – 6:00 pm: Screening of Chocolate Country
USA, 2010-- 30 min, Director: Robin Blotnick

Chocolate Country tells the story of the cacao farmers of the rural Dominican community of Loma Guaconejo. The film brings to life their quest to earn organic certification and the ability to market their cacao directly to markets in the United States. This uplifting chronicle of a community coming together to beat the odds is set to the soundtrack of local folk musicians and highlights the process of organic cacao cultivation from seed to powder.

Saturday, June 9
12:15 am – 1:45 pm: Screening of Dirt! The Movie
USA, 2009, 86 min, Directors: Bill Benenson, Gene Rosow

Dirt! The Movie  tells the story of Earth's most valuable and underappreciated source of fertility--from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation. The opening scenes of the film dive into the wonderment of the soil. Made from the same elements as the stars, plants and animals, and us, "dirt is very much alive." Though, in modern industrial pursuits and clamor for both profit and natural resources, our human connection to and respect for soil has been disrupted. "Drought, climate change, even war are all directly related to the way we are treating dirt." DIRT! the Movie--narrated by Jaime Lee Curtis--brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil.

About the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF)
DREFF raises awareness and deepens understanding of environmental issues among Dominican audiences, while celebrating the beauty and diversity of the country's natural heritage. Through screening a diverse selection of high-quality films on matters of environmental concern, and organizing panel discussions with environmental experts, filmmakers and other stakeholders, the Festival seeks to foster dialogue and to inspire Dominican audiences to adopt practices that will ensure for the health and environmental sustainability of the country.

By bringing together youth, scholars, experts, activists, filmmakers, representatives of public, private and nongovernmental institutions and the general public, the Festival promotes programs and projects that contribute to environmental protection, conservation and sustainability.

Related links:
http://unapec.edu.do/CONCURSO%20Medio%20Ambiente%20(2).pdf
http://www.unapec.edu.do/Noticias/Eventos/23/semana-de-medio-ambiente
http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/plan_b/index.html
www.chocolatecountryfilm.com
www.dirtthemovie.org