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| Spa Patio Party |
When you’re from the Northeast, there may not be a better way to spend four November days than to attend a film festival in the Caribbean. Last month I was fortunate enough to do just that when my fiancee and I flew the Sun Village Resort in Cofresi, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic for the Second Annual Dominican International Film Festival.
The Second Annual DIFF did not disappoint. Warm beaches, an all-inclusive resort (with seven pools, five restaurants and a spa) and festival organizers who pay attention to the needs of independent moviemakers make for one can’t-miss events. A few of the cinematic highlights included L’Audition, written and directed by Canada’s Luc Picard, who was in town for the screening, as well as A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, from Dito Montiel, who was also on hand. I also enjoyed Mora Stephens’ Conventioneers, and the programmers added a touch of class with Damian Pettigrew’s wonderful doc, Fellini: I’m a Born Liar. I could’ve done without tributes to the likes of Judge Rinehold and Anthony Anderson, but that’s getting picky… (Hope these pics let you enjoy a little vicarious warmth—watch for my full festival review in MM #68)
-Timothy E. Rhys
Editor in Chief, MovieMaker Magazine
All photos courtesy of the Dominican International Film Festival.
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| Opening Night Ceremony Crowd |
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| Filmmaking in the Dominican Republic Panelists-Cesar Rodriguez, Arturo Rodriguez, Felix Manuel Lora, Ramses Cairo |
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| Festival Director Ed Vincent |
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| Festival Closing Night Party |
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| Ed Vincent, Contribution to DR Filmmaking Award Winner Cesar Rodriguez, Derek Elliott |
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| Dito Montiel Director of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints |
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| Anthony Anderson Winner of Dominican International Film Festival Rising Star Award |
