DRGFF Attends the 25th Edition of the Miami International Film Festival (MIFF)
New York, 3/13/2008
This year, for the second time, staff members of the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (DRGFF), an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) joined the participants of the MIFF from February 28 - March 9, 2008, in Miami, Florida, in order to continue building a solid network of film industry professionals and identify potential panelists and films for the upcoming 2008 edition of the DRGFF.
Miami is no Hollywood, but the Miami International Film Festival, operating under the sponsorship of Miami Dade College, has been attracting experienced and novice international filmmakers, industry professionals and film enthusiasts during the past quarter century. For ten days, DRGFF representatives participated in lively discussions, workshops, seminars and master-classes during which they heard from film industry experts and filmmakers, and learned about current industry trends. The informative sessions covered topics such as the creative process, marketing and distribution, technology, international financing, music filmmaking, cinematography, student film making, acquisition of films in the U.S., film critiquing, and the development of the film industry in Miami, among others. Attendance to the seminars was followed up by one-on-one conversations with the best potential speakers and panelists for future editions of the DRGFF. In addition, with 166 films from over 50 countries to consider, DRGFF staff members spent numerous hours in the theaters and the screening room engaging all their senses and immersing in the stories and subjects of the vast array of films available --from thought-provoking documentaries to dramatic feature films and shorts. This process, of identifying films to share with the DRGFF audience, is intense but rewarding and it will contribute immensely to the advancement of the film culture in the Dominican Republic. Located on the Atlantic Ocean at only a two-hour and ten-minute flight from Santo Domingo, the sunny and multicultural setting of the MIFF, with its diverse range of venues strategically selected to expand its outreach to a predominantly Hispanic population, was ideal for networking. It provided the perfect background for conversations initiated by the DRGFF team to promote the DRGFF and attract filmmakers and other film industry professionals to the Dominican Republic, and visualize potential collaborations and the trajectory of the Dominican film industry and the DRGFF. DRGFF 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. It supports capacity building, provides network opportunities for Dominican professionals and fosters the development of a strong and sustainable national film industry. Related link:
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