The film “Al Sur de la Inocencia” (To the South of Innocence) Successfully Kicks Off the Third Dominican Film Festival in New York.

The film “Al Sur de la Inocencia” (To the South of Innocence) Successfully Kicks Off the Third Dominican Film Festival in New York.
Santo Domingo, June 20, 2014

The Third Dominican Film Festival in New York opened with the full support of the Latino community and especially the Dominican community in the Big Apple.
Filmmakers, actors, artists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, producers, TV presenters, film students, and other sectors of the community gathered on the opening night of the Dominican Film Festival. The event will end on June 22nd.

During the 5 days of the event, the Third Film Festival will showcase over 30 films made by Dominicans.

Armando Guareño, Founder and Executive Director of the Festival, welcomed and congratulated all those present, highlighting the support provided by the sponsors of the event. “The Dominican film industry is experiencing its finest moment”, he said.
“The directors, actors, and everyone involved in the making of a Dominican film, are working hard in each of their projects, for Dominican films to be internationally recognized; this is the reason why we are having this Festival. Thank you all for being here and for your support”.

It was a great night for the Dominican film industry. The renowned film “To the South of Innocence”, directed by Héctor M. Valdéz and starring popular Dominicans actors Frank Perozo and Julieta Rodríguez, received all the honors during the event.
Its director, Héctor M. Valdéz said that he was happy and pleased to have been selected for the opening of the Third Dominican Film Festival.  “I am grateful to all the participants and actors in the film. This film has changed my life”.

The opening ceremony of the event was attended by famous Dominican directors and actors, including; Juan Basanta, Alfonso Rodríguez, Kiki Meléndez, Manny Pérez, Juan Fernández, Cheddy García, Audri Rijo, among many others.

The most moving moment of the night was when presenters Senny Taveras and Oveous, asked all directors, actors, and artists that were present to come up to the stage where they were paid tribute in recognition for their great contributions to the Dominican film industry.

Finally, Armando Guareño showed gratitude for the support of the media and asked all those present to become spokespersons within the community and inform of what is happening with the Dominican film industry and invite the people to come and support the Third Dominican Film Festival.

It is worth noting that the festival will take place in two locations from June 18-22: the Alumni Auditorium at Columbia University Medical Center, located at 650 West 168 St., corner of Broadway, and the Hall of Fame Theater in the Armory Foundation, located at 216 Fort Washington Avenue (at 168th Street).

It should also be noted that more than 30 films made by Dominican filmmakers and of other nationalities will be screened, in the interest of telling Dominican stories. The festival will screen feature-length films, short films and documentaries from the Dominican Republic, USA, Puerto Rico, and Spain. There will also be special tributes to artists, panel discussions, and other festivities.

The official program of some of the feature-length films for the DFFNY:

“Despertar” directed by José María Cabral, starring Adrián Mas and Loraida Bobadilla; “Biodegradable” directed by Juan Basanta, starring César Évora and Cecilia García; “El Gallo” directed by Juan Fernández, starring Juan Fernández, Lia Chapman, Caperusa E. Ramírez, and Garibaldy Reyes; “De Pez en Cuando” directed by Francisco Adolfo Valdez, starring Luis José Germán and Camila Santana; “Locas y Atrapadas” by Alfonso Rodríguez, starring Denise Quiñones, Melymel, Sabrina Gómez, Silvana Arias, Dulcita Lieggi and Carlos Alfredo Fatule.

Also, “Noche de Circo” directed by Alan Nadal Piantini, starring Richard Douglas, Cheddy García, and Georgina Duluc; “La Montaña” directed by Tabaré Blanchard and Iván Herrera; “Lotoman 003” directed by Archie López starring Raymond Pozo, Miguel Céspedes, Chelsy García, Fauto Mota, Fefita La Grande, Julián Gil, Fernando Carrillo, and La Materialista; “Duarte, Traición y Gloria” directed by Leo Silverio; “Blanco” directed by Melvin Duran; “Quien Manda” (Who’s the Boss) directed by Ronni Castillo, starring Frank Perozo, Nashla Borgaert, and Cuquín Victoria.

DFFNY is honored to present a Retrospective of Manny Pérez to celebrate the career of the Dominican actor and producer. Pérez has performed for over 20 years in both film and television. The evening will open with the premiere of “Ponchao”, directed by Josh Crook, followed by the acclaimed “Greencard Warriors”, directed by Miriam Kruishoop. Both films feature our lecturer. DFFNY is also pleased to have a chat with the actor titled “A Conversation with Manny Pérez”, at the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center. He will discuss his work as an actor, writer, and producer in a special intimate, deep, face-to-face conversation.

The screening of the documentary “Mala Mala” is scheduled for the closing on Sunday, June 22nd. The documentary is directed by Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini, born in Puerto Rico to a Dominican mother.

The festival wants to offer a platform for those in the Dominican film industry. It will allow new and established producers to promote their works to the public, in order to raise awareness of the Seventh Art and to motivate those interested in Dominican culture in the Big Apple.

Growth and enrichment are the main goals of the festival. DFFNY wants to educate and inspire others because the beauty of film production is a remarkable experience, and these nights will shed light on it.

DFFNY is organized by Cine Art Entertainment Productions in collaboration with Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (FCGD), and the National Directorate of Film (DGCINE). It is being sponsored by Columbia University Medical Center, Councilwoman Ydanis Rodríguez, the New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, The Armory Foundation, Emblem Health, Univision New York, UniMás New York, Univision Radio, Delta Air Lines, El Diario La Prensa, Latintrends Magazine, Ron Barceló, Dyckman Beers, among others.

For more information, schedules, high resolution pictures, and press releases, please visit our website: www.dominicanfilmfestival.com

SOURCE: www.zabalaaldia.com