Natasha Despotovic

SECOND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GLOBAL FILM FESTIVAL CANCELED

Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister institution in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), regret the tragedy that is affecting the Dominican Republic and feel for the people and families that have suffered, and continue to suffer, the impact and consequences of Tropical Storm Noel.

Since the close of the first Dominican Republic Global Film Festival, celebrated a year ago in Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata, the teams from both organizations and their consultants have worked hard to prepare for the celebration of the second edition, scheduled to take place November 13-18, 2007. A program consisting of 29 high-quality dramatic and documentary films and more than 100 international guests affiliated with the film industry resulted from the arduous work carried-out by GFDD and FUNGLODE over the course of almost a year.

After becoming aware of the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Noel in the Dominican Republic, those responsible for organizing the Festival evaluated the situation and debated over whether to cancel the event or to convert the Festival into a means of humanitarian assistance for the thousands of Dominican families that have lost a part of their lives as a result of the havoc caused by the climatic phenomenon.

At the beginning, the festival organizers thought to make the Festival into a resource generating event to benefit the victims, however, due to the magnitude of the tragedy and out of respect for the country and people and families that have suffered, those responsible for the second Dominican Republic Global Film Festival opted to cancel the event, understanding that priorities have shifted. Institutions, entities and communities are presently combining efforts to overcome the dire situation the country currently faces and to aid the affected populations, and the country at large, to continue on the path of normalcy and development.

In response to these circumstances, GFDD and FUNGLODE announce the cancellation of the second Dominican Republic Global Film Festival scheduled to take place November 13-18, 2007 in the cities of Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Nagua and Higüey. We thank you for your comprehension and apologize for any inconveniences this cancellation might have caused.

Thank you again for your understanding, support and collaboration.

Natasha Despotovic
Director

SECOND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GLOBAL FILM FESTIVAL