Yvette Marichal, Director of Marketing and Public Relations of the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (DRGFF), graciously introduced two female legends in the modern film world: Claudia Cardinale and Victoria Abril. The two women sat together on a couch and fielded questions from the press covering the Festival.

DRGFF Director Omar de la Cruz told reporters that, on behalf of the entire DR Global Film Festival, he was proud to welcome ¨two such women to our country not just as film stars but as down to earth people.¨ 
Mr. de la Cruz was also proud to announce that just one hour prior to the press conference, held in Cap Cana, the Dominican Senate and Chamber of Deputies passed the Dominican Film Law which would be sent to the President for his signature. This greatly anticipated Film Law, marking the end of a 5-year legislative process, will facilitate the development of the country´s flourishing film industry, explained Mr. de la Cruz.  Following this good news, the Director of the DRGFF turned the floor over to the press.

Cardinale, an icon of European cinema, was asked why she never attempted to break into Hollywood. “Hollywood gave me acid indigestion. It was a horrible experience and the food was horrible too,” she replied in all seriousness. But this didn´t stop her from making films with the likes of John Wayne, Rock Hudson, Anthony Quinn and Peter Sellers.

Each year the DRGFF offers tribute to a member of the film community who has contributed on many levels to world film whether through acting, directing, producing or simply inspiring and supporting the seventh art. This year the DRGFF will bestow a Lifetime Achievement Award on Ms. Cardinale.

Cardinale said she was proud to have been invited to the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (DRGFF) and honored by the Award, which will be given to her by Dominican President Leonel Fernandez.
In addition to her film work, Cardinale is a UNESCO ambassador and works for women´s rights and environmental issues in various sites around the world.

Cardinale´s film awards include an honorary Golden Bear award of the Berlin Film Festival and an honorary Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. She was also honored at the 2009 Women's World Awards.

The Dominican Republic Global Film Festival is opening this week in seven venues around the country including Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Cap Cana, Higuey, Nagua and Port au Prince, Haiti where this year´s Festival is joining the rest of the country´s tireless support for its neighbor.

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