New York, April 16, 2009

For the second year, the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (DRGFF) has been honored by The Webby Awards. In 2006 the DRGFF website was nominated in the category of Events & Live Webcasts. Recognized alongside CNN.com Live, CBS Interactive, BBC Radio 1 and Bravo Media, the Festival website was selected as an Official Honoree of The 13th Annual Webby Awards in the category of Events & Live Webcasts. Out of the nearly 10,000 entries submitted to the 13th Annual Webby Awards, less than 15% were awarded the status of Official Honoree.

The visually stimulating, interactive DRGFF website features up-to-date information concerning all aspects of the Festival, state of the art-the-art digital images and informative video clips highlighting the Festival’s panels, workshops and other activities. The site’s user-friendly format provides visitors with breaking news stories, the official Festival program, film synopsis, panel and workshop descriptions, video interviews of actors and directors, photo galleries and related articles. The DRGFF website was created by an international multidisciplinary team comprised of journalists, editors, web designers and technicians, videographers, photographers and translators. Website design and development was directed by Festival Director Natasha Despotovic, Digital Media Director Semiramis de Miranda and Web Master Jonathan Grullón.

DRGFF, an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), plays a leading role in nurturing film culture in the Dominican Republic by bringing the best of international narrative and documentary film to a wide audience. The Festival raises awareness and deepens understanding of global challenges while using film as a modern platform for the discussion of political, social and economic issues. The Festival supports capacity building, provides network opportunities for Dominican professionals and fosters the development of a strong and sustainable national film industry.

The Webby Awards, recognized by the New York Times as the “Oscars of the Internet,” are international awards that acknowledge excellence in interactive media projects in the areas of: Website, Interactive Advertising, Online Film & Video, and Mobile Websites. The Webby Awards were established in 1996 by the Academy of Digital Arts and Science, comprised of a group of 500 experts representing diverse fields. Members include David Bowie, Harvey Weinstein, Biz Stone and Bob Greenberg. Google, BBC News, MSNBC, PBS and The New York Times are some of the past award recipients.

Related link:
http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?media_id=97&category_id=104&season=13