Santo Domingo –\u00a0The last four films of DREFF 2019 were screened at Santo Domingo and Santiago, concluding this edition in 3 cities and 9 venues in the Dominican Republic were hundreds of young people of all ages have shown grand knowledge and awareness of environmental threats as well as the available solutions to tackle climate change. Lila\u2019s Book<\/em> by Marcela Rinc\u00f3n Gonz\u00e1lez at Biblioteca Infantil y Juvenil Rep\u00fablica Dominicana (BIJRD); El Buzo<\/em> by Esteban\u00a0Arrangoiz at the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) of Santo Domingo; Pandas<\/em> by Drew\u00a0Fellman\u00a0& David Douglas at Colegio Biling\u00fce New Horizons of Santiago de los Caballeros; and Ghost Fleet <\/em>by Shannon Service at Universidad Nacional Pedro Henr\u00edquez Ure\u00f1a (UNPHU) completed the program composed of 12 films from 6 countries- Colombia, Argentina, Belgium, U.S.A., Mexico and the Dominican Republic- screened in association with universities, schools, libraries, and cultural and research centers.<\/p>\n Maria Victoria Abreu, Director of programming, participated at the closing events in UNIBE and UNPHU in the capital, and gave her deepest thanks on behalf of DREFF to everyone who supported and guaranteed the success of each edition: partners, collaborators, audiences and guests \u201cfor your constant participation and enthusiasm you\u2019ve had since the Festival was created in 2011.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis edition was filled with much enthusiasm, great films, discussions and new connections where once more there was an exchange of new skills and practices that have inspired us.\u201d<\/p>\n Mary Galan, in charge of BIJRD\u2019s Parque Greta room, said \u201cthroughout the course of the week the children have really enjoyed DREFF here at the library. They have learned so much and have enjoyed themselves while learning different techniques to preserve our environment. We are very happy that these initiatives are taking place in the library and that the children and adolescents can learn more about saving the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Isaury Castillo, coordinator of chemistry, biology and environment in UNIBE said of the plastic pollution after the screening at the academic institution; \u201cWe have a serious problem in our country, and we have been given a solution. For that reason, I congratulate the efforts made by DREFF to bring us these types of documentaries, the Sostenabilidad 3Rs program and the program Vecino Verde to bring awareness to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n A student in the audience at Colegio Bilingue New Horizons in Santiago for Worse Than Poop!,<\/em> Daniel E., said \u201cif all adults used electric energy vehicles our planet would be cleaner and more enjoyable.\u201d Another student at the same institution, Micaela B., said of Lila\u2019s Book<\/em> \u201cLila has taught us not to forget and not to accumulate things because that hurts our environment and other people.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival has continued this edition aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations tackling themes related to the conservation of species and the oceans, plastic pollution, gas emissions, renewable energy and other aspects of sustainable development and going over the best practices to implement and a local and international level.<\/p>\n About DREFF<\/strong>
\nSince its creation in 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) \u2014an initiative of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and the Fundaci\u00f3n Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode)\u2014 has been providing Dominicans with a platform of knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable development, along with its challenges and best practices, while celebrating the unique beauty and wealth that is the Dominican Republic\u2019s natural heritage.<\/p>\n