The Dominican Republic Global Film Festival has been created with a threefold mission: to bring the best of international narrative and documentary film to a large array of audiences, thus promoting awareness and comprehension of global challenges; to foster the training of Dominican professionals and their entry into international markets; and to further the advancement of a national film industry that contributes to the economic development and the competitiveness of the country. In this sense, the Festival has continued to advance, growing and gathering strength on a national as well as international level.

This year, numerous students from the Eastern Regional University Center (CURE) in Higüey and from the Nagua Regional University Center (CURNA) will be able to see movies of impressive quality in their newly built auditoriums, converse with authors and protagonists and debate themes relevant to today’s world. They will now join with their colleagues in Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerta Plata that had the opportunity to participate in the first edition of the Festival in their respective university centers.

It is with great pride that we offer these young people the delight of the best of contemporary seventh art, with which we hope to instill in them the appreciation of art, the desire to better understand the world and the thirst for personal improvement.

The Dominican Republic has an abundance of creative talent. On multiple occasions, important international professionals have expressed their admiration for the creative capacity of the Dominican people. Nevertheless, there has been a lack of opportunities for learning, professional development and exchange with experts from abroad. Via the dynamic labor of the DR Global Film Festival, these opportunities abound and serve as a base for future work. In only one year, important contact networks and formal collaboration channels have been established at a global level.

We are certain that this will reap lasting benefits for the quality of Dominican film and will contribute to a greater and improved offering of cinematographic productions of national and international origin.

The DR Global Film Festival is becoming a pillar of the national educational system, a valuable component of social cohesion and an engine for job creation and economic development. Its success lies in the joint effort of numerous institutions and the dedication of many people. I invite you to partake in this wave of enthusiasm, enjoy this grand celebration of art and benefit from the opportunities for growth and work.

Leonel Fernández
Honorary President