The Directorate General of Cinema (DGCINE) and the French Embassy in the Dominican Republic have formalized a landmark agreement aimed at strengthening the Dominican film industry. This agreement, which reflects the joint commitment to the development and growth of the local film sector, covers various training, co-production, film management and institutional cooperation initiatives through a significant contribution of sixty-six thousand euros from the French country.
Marianna Vargas Gurilieva, general director of the General Directorate of Cinema (DGCINE), and Eric Fournier, French ambassador to the Dominican Republic, are the signatories of the important alliance that aims to be a tool for strengthening the national film industry and Dominican talent.
Main aspects of the agreement
-Support for the training of local professionals in the audiovisual field.
As part of the agreement, a financial contribution will be made to the Eurodoc Caribbean Workshop, a laboratory aimed at Caribbean documentary producers that will be held for the first time in the Dominican Republic from December 4 to 8, 2023 at the Cinemateca Dominicana. During this program, experts from France and other countries will come to the country to share their knowledge of filmmaking with participants through individualized sessions, case studies and master classes.
Likewise, scholarships will be established for summer programs in 2024, which offer Dominican professionals the opportunity to enrich their skills, aligned with the needs identified in the Human Capital Sector Survey conducted by the DGCINE. On-site and virtual workshops will also be implemented, designed to meet the training needs of at least 15 Dominican professionals.
Promotion of co-production spaces between the two countries.
The agreement includes the organization of a workshop on the internationalization of Dominican film projects, in line with the DGCINE’s strategy to promote Dominican cinema internationally, together with Dominican professional associations and training centers. This event seeks to support Dominican projects in development with their internationalization route. In addition, travel grants will be established to guarantee the presence of Dominican filmmakers at the renowned Cannes Film Festival, for the participation of the Dominican Republic in such an important festival.
-Support for the reopening of the Dominican Cinematheque and knowledge exchange
The collaboration between DGCINE and the French Embassy in the Dominican Republic will include a mission of French experts to support the Cinemateca Dominicana in its restructuring process, in early 2024. In addition, a workshop on cultural film programming will be organized in collaboration with the Cinemateca, Dominican cultural centers and Dominican film critics associations for at least 10 professionals in early February 2024. The purchase of a DCP projector will also be carried out in anticipation of the remodeling of the Cinemateca’s Sala A in 2024.
-Encouraging institutional cooperation between France and the Dominican Republic
Ultimately, this agreement seeks to foster cooperation between French and Dominican institutions, with the goal of boosting co-productions between the two countries.
This agreement represents an important milestone in the strengthening of cinematographic ties between the Dominican Republic and France, opening up new opportunities and prospects for the Caribbean country’s fast-growing audiovisual industry.
Source: presidencia.gov.do
