The Dominican International Film Festival (DIFF) is organized by a number of non-profit groups with a mission to promote the Dominican Republic as an ideal venue for filming and producing movies. By stimulating the film industry in the Dominican, the festival is helping contribute to the economy and increase the country's competitive edge in the global marketplace. Further to that mission, the DIFF seeks to use the festival as a platform for educating and raising awareness of Dominican history and culture, environmental topics, social issues, politics and economics.
The DIFF is an annual event, beginning in 2006, and takes place each November. There are usually multiple venues around the Dominican, but most of the activity occurs in Santo Domingo and Santiago. First, second and third place awards are bestowed upon filmmakers who impress the panel of judges, as well a 'viewer's choice' designation. In 2011 the first place honor was given to Jesus Reyes Mota for his film entitled La Mujer. Second place went to Claudia Lopez for the film Iguales, and third place was granted to Miguel Alcantara for Hola Mama!
The main entity behind the DIFF is the Global Media Arts Institute, an educational center for multimedia students. The institute produces many television and film productions with their students, including commercials seen in several media forms. Some notable projects for well-known companies are television commercials for Tampax, Converse, Coca Cola and Alka Seltzer. Many of the short films produced by students at the institute have been entered in the Dominican International Film Festival as well, and some have even been honored with an award.
During the week-long festival, visitors can participate in a number of panel discussions about the film industry. In 2011 there was an exchange of information on how to bring a documentary film from the mundane to the incredible. There was also a discussion on taking a film idea from paper all the way through to the screen. One particularly exciting event was a lecture given by Latin film star Maria Montez, in which she discussed her career and all the ups and downs that have made it a sensation.
The Dominican Republic has such a rich cultural disposition, and yet people outside the country seem to only focus on the beaches. While the tropical aspects of the Dominican are definitely worth seeing and experiencing, it would be very sad to disregard the vibrant art, music, literature and film of the Dominican Republic.
The DIFF is an annual event, beginning in 2006, and takes place each November. There are usually multiple venues around the Dominican, but most of the activity occurs in Santo Domingo and Santiago. First, second and third place awards are bestowed upon filmmakers who impress the panel of judges, as well a 'viewer's choice' designation. In 2011 the first place honor was given to Jesus Reyes Mota for his film entitled La Mujer. Second place went to Claudia Lopez for the film Iguales, and third place was granted to Miguel Alcantara for Hola Mama!
The main entity behind the DIFF is the Global Media Arts Institute, an educational center for multimedia students. The institute produces many television and film productions with their students, including commercials seen in several media forms. Some notable projects for well-known companies are television commercials for Tampax, Converse, Coca Cola and Alka Seltzer. Many of the short films produced by students at the institute have been entered in the Dominican International Film Festival as well, and some have even been honored with an award.
During the week-long festival, visitors can participate in a number of panel discussions about the film industry. In 2011 there was an exchange of information on how to bring a documentary film from the mundane to the incredible. There was also a discussion on taking a film idea from paper all the way through to the screen. One particularly exciting event was a lecture given by Latin film star Maria Montez, in which she discussed her career and all the ups and downs that have made it a sensation.
The Dominican Republic has such a rich cultural disposition, and yet people outside the country seem to only focus on the beaches. While the tropical aspects of the Dominican are definitely worth seeing and experiencing, it would be very sad to disregard the vibrant art, music, literature and film of the Dominican Republic.
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