Global Film Festival Ends Successfully and Consolidates its History as One of the Most Important Film Events of the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, February 3, 2020 – The Global Film Festival concluded with a special 12 +1 event, where the public thoroughly enjoyed the possibility of watching more films, more documentaries and shorts, more exhibits and a much broader agenda of activities that highlighted the role of women in the movie industry, the history of the Spanish movie industry – the nation honored by the Festival organizers – and where movie lovers consolidated the Film Lab space and the Co-Production Market as an important reference in the Caribbean.

The Festival’s Executive Director, Omar de la Cruz, stated in the closing ceremony his appreciation to all the volunteers, the general public, movie lovers and the friends of the Festival for their support of the annual activity. “We are extremely appreciative not only of the tremendous team that worked with us and also our sponsors, but also of the Dominican public that supported this tremendous film celebration with their record-breaking attendance to the movie theaters where we were carrying out the program.”

The Festival met all its initial goals, both from the public as well as from the organizers and supporters.  “This 12 + 1 Festival broke all previous records and expectations.  We surpassed all past numbers when it came to attendance and now we are working on turning this event into the country’s most important film event,” expressed de la Cruz.

On the Festival program, de la Cruz explained that “we have managed to bring together the two most important aspects of the Project: the Project lab, attendance and positive acceptance of our work by film industry professionals.

On the film and presentation aspects, this year we scheduled 104 films, including shorts, documentaries, national and international films and a tremendous support of the public.  We are truly pleased because we met the goal of bringing top quality cinema to our audiences.”

Finally, in his closing remarks, the Festival director explained that this 12 + 1 Festival was the most successful to date.  He also discussed next year’s Festival goals, which will have the United States as the guest of honor.

CLOSING GALA EVENT

During the closing event, Robin S. Bernstein, the U.S. Ambassador in the Dominican Republic, thanked the invitation made by the Global Film Festival to her country by recognizing the tremendous work carried out by the local film industry and how it contributes to the country’s development.

During the ceremony, Mina El Hammani was awarded the “Roots” Award.  The talented actress, who is featured in the Netflix series “Elite.”  The Global Award was issued to Wilhelm Pérez, for his work in the local film industry.

The jurors of the Festival are José Luis Ridoutt Polar (Canada), President of the Global Short Festival; Javier Espada (Spain), President of the Opera Prima Documentary “Fernando Báez” and Anna Marie de la Fuente, President of the Opera Prima Jurors in the Fiction category.

THE WINNERS

This year’s winners were chosen from the following categories: GLOBAL SHORT FEATURE: First Place: “MANICURE,” by Armand Bayyaz (Irán); Second Place: “BEEF,” by Ingride Santos (Spain); Third Place: “HOME,” by Sevinaz Evdikê (Syria, Kurdistan and Spain); Special Mention “THE END OF ETERNITY,” by Pablo Radice (Peru, Argentina).

In the Opera Prima Fernando Baez Documentary Category,” the winners were “LA MEMORIA Y DESPUÉS,” by Eduardo Feller, (Argentina, Poland) and a Special Mention for “SANKARA N’EST PAS MORT,” by Lucie Viver (Burkina Faso).

In the Opera Prima Fiction the winner was “La Hija de un Ladrón,” by Belén Funes (Spain), and a Special Mention to “Ceniza Negra,” by Sofía Quirós Ubeda (Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile and France).

Sponsorship

The Festival would not be possible without the sponsorship of our sponsors: Diamante; Claro Video, Palacio del Cine, Distribuidora Corripio, Sigma Petroleum Corporation, Peña Defillo, Procomunicaciones, BHD León, DGCINE, Plaza Lama, Constructora BISONO, Spanish Embassy-AECI, Alvarez y Sánchez.

Also, the following sponsors  that make it possible for the presentation of international films: “Platinos,”  COLORIN, Panamericana Films, The Willbes & Co., Ltd, Burger King, Jet Set Club, Coway, Cap Cana, IGlobal, Telesistema, Telemicro, Ruiz Centro, “Patrocinadores Oro,” La 91, Zol106.5, Digital 15, Telemicro Internacional.

The following sponsors are also strong supporters of the Festival: Emax Group Corp, Teatro Nacional, Listín Diario, Diario Libre, El Nacional, Periódico Hoy, Papa John’s, Revista Global, Capuccino, Vice President of the Republic, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Iberoamericana University, Technological Institute of Santo Domingo, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Altos de Chavón School, Universidad APEC, Jorge Mochón Academy, CTC, EGEDA, Krispy Kreme, Movibeta, Eventival, Ibermedia, Sala de Espera, CTN, FestHome, FIAPF.