Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister organization in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode), proactively participated at the Business Forum: “Emissions’ Reduction and Business Opportunities in Value Chain Co-Processing in the Dominican Republic”. The two-day conference is taking place November 18 and 19, 2014 at the Hilton Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The symposium is jointly coordinated by the German Agency for International Development (GIZ) and the Consejo Nacional de Cambio Climático y Mecanismo de Desarrollo Limpio (National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism, CNCCMDL for its Spanish acronym) of the Dominican Republic, with the aim of creating a high level discussion of environmental corporate commitment and the challenges of climate change in the national business context. Also supporting this event is the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Association of Cement Producers (Asociación Dominicana de Productores de Cemento, ADOCEM for its Spanish acronym), among others.

GFDD-Funglode screened the short film “Garbage or Resource: A Dominican Republic experience“, presented the recently launched book on Sustainable Development and Green Economy in the Dominican Republic, and showcased other publications at the Forum’s exhibit hall.

An enthusiastic audience attended this year’s edition of BLUE Ocean Film Festival, held during November 3-9, 2014 in the city of St. Petersburg, Florida, where they had the opportunity to see the documentary Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience on Friday, November 7, a film produced by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode). The documentary, which was a finalist in the category of Foreign Language Film, was directed by Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of GFDD.

Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience had received more than 10 awards since its official launching at the 3rd edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF). The film shows in detail how recycling has become an important economic opportunity for Dominicans. Through various business and educational projects the viewer notes that besides the obvious benefit to the environment, recycling allows economic development through the creation of new businesses and industries. An inspirational short film that moves and calls for action.

The BLUE Ocean Film Festival and Conservation Summit is an event that takes place every two years, where ocean leaders, filmmakers, photographers, scientists, explorers, entertainment executives – and the general public– gather in Tampa Bay/ St. Petersburg, FL at BLUE to honor the best in ocean filmmaking, to learn more about the issues facing our oceans, and to collaborate on improving the future of our oceans and humanity. During the seven-day event diverse groups of people share knowledge and ideas with each other and with the general public.

For more information please visit http://garbage.dreff.org or www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org

Team members of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) were present last night at the opening of Planet in Focus Film Festival, which is taking place in Toronto until this coming Sunday.

Canada’s leading environmental film festival, and the first of its kind in the world, this year marks its fifteenth anniversary with a full schedule of film screenings and events for the industry, as well as activities aimed at primary and secondary school students.

Last night, the TIFF Bell Lightbox hosted the opening gala during which, in addition to screening the film Monsoon, by Sturla Gunnsson, tribute was paid to renowned Canadian documentary film Director Alanis Obomsawain.

Today, Planet in Focus celebrates the Industry Day at Toronto’s City Council, in which DREFF will be present.

This event is organized by Canadian filmmaker Mark Terry, who is a friend and collaborator of DREFF and has presented films in its past editions.

Planet in Focus is an environmental organization dedicated to the visual arts with programming throughout the year. Its mission is to “produce, promote and disseminate artistically made films and videos that explore and tell stories about the world in which we live.”

The Festival, which is ongoing until Sunday, November 9th, presents and promotes environmental films and videos in all genres: documentary, animation, experimental, short films and drama, by Canadian and international filmmakers.

According to the organizers, its objective is to enlighten, engage and entertain people from all backgrounds through film.

In turn, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) aims to raise awareness among the Dominican public and to deepen its understanding of current environmental issues. DREFF is also dedicated to celebrating the natural beauty and diversity of the Dominican Republic, as well as providing information and proposals that contribute to their appreciation and to promote their conservation and sustainable use.

The DREFF team, which will celebrate its fifth edition on September 8th through the 13th, 2015, works throughout the year to bring to the Dominican Republic the best films during each of its editions and to create networks with members of the industry from all over the world and, thus, serve as a catalyst for the creation of projects and programs that promote good practices in the area of the environment, resulting from the interaction between youth and the general public with teachers.

Related Link: http://planetinfocus.org/

GFDD-Funglode’s short film "Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience" will be screened this Friday, November 7 at 2:00 p.m. at the BLUE Ocean Film Festival, taking place this week at St. Petersburg, Florida. The film, a finalist in the category of Foreign Language Film, was directed by Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of GFDD.

Ms. Despotovic and Ms. Semiramis De Miranda, GFDD executives, are participating at the BLUE Ocean Film Festival and Conservation Summit 2014, which is an event celebrated every two years where ocean leaders, filmmakers, photographers, scientists, explorers, entertainment executives and the general public gather to honor the best in ocean filmmaking. Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) actively aims on fostering progress, collaboration and exchange related to sustainable development and democracy in the Western Hemisphere, and so participating in summits, forums, festivals and discussions on these topics and to collaborate creating awareness at all levels, is part of the Foundation’s institutional mission.

More information: www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org