FUNGLODE/GFDD Founds the Global Media Arts Institute (GMAI)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, November 10th, 2006

The Global Media Arts Institute (GMAI), which is headquartered at FUNGLODE, has developed training programs of in the areas of television and movie production since the founding of FUNGLODE. The institution was formally launched during the DR Global Film Festival.

The Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) and its sister institution in the United States, the Global Foundation Democracy and Development (GFDD), formally presented the Global Multimedia Institute in an event at FUNGLODE’s headquarters in Santo Domingo during the DR Global Film Festival.

Natasha Despotovic, director of the festival and executive director of GFDD, led GMAI’s inauguration, which brought together both film and television producers. The inauguration emphasized the contributions made by FUNGLODE to the development of audiovisual training in the DR since the founding of the foundation more than five years ago. GMAI works with partners such as the Higher Education Opportunity Program at New York University, One Race Films (founded by actor Vin Diesel), and Miami Dade Community College.

Despotovic highlighted the fact that, with the support of these partner institutions, around 150 people to date have received training from the program.

This year, GMAI offered a three-week training course on film production, along with workshops on topics such as moviemaking and scripts. Before end of the year, GMAI will offer a workshop on film direction. In January, another three-week course will be given focusing on the different aspects of moviemaking, including production, direction, scripts, editing, lights, filming and sound. Despotovic emphasized that GMAI’s goal is to offer vocational training courses both for novices and those already working in the movie industry who wish to receive continued professional training. Beginning, middle, and advanced level courses are all offered through the institute.

GMAI will soon have its own webpage dedicated to providing updated information on all the activities of the institution. Information about GMAI can currently be found on the FUNGLODE page at www.funglode.org.

GMAI at the Festival

As part of the DR Global Film Festival, GMAI offered a workshop on Friday, November 10 titled “How to Make Documentaries”. On Saturday, November 11, GMAI will sponsor a panel led by President Leonel Fernández from 2-4PM on the development of the film industry in the Dominican Republic. Panelists will include Hollywood producer Brett Ratner,, Center for Exports and Investment of the Dominican Republic Director  Eddy Martínez,and Arturo Rodríguez National Film Director. For more information see: Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD)