Festival de Cine Global Dominicano is now accredited to FIAPF

Dominican Republic Global Film Festival accredited as the first Caribbean festival among the FIAPF community

With this seal of excellence, FCGD joins the exclusive community of 47 film festivals in the world including Berlin, Cannes and Venice, who commit to respect the quality standards as defined by the film producers' community

(Cannes, 22 May 2017). The Festival de Cine Global Dominicano (FCGD) received Monday the accreditation of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as a "COMPETITIVE FEATURE FILM FESTIVAL specialised in First Films", by the hand of its managing director Benoit Ginisty and Adrien Majourel, festival manager of the international organization.

The decision, which was decided unanimously during the FIAPF General Assembly held last May 20 in Cannes, includes the FCGD among the 47 member festivals accredited by the organization. The accreditation process concluded that the festival meets all of the standards and criteria as defined by the community of cinematographic producers associations around the world and acknowledges the work that has been accomplished by the Festival's team to create a quality film event which puts the artistic and economic interests of the films first.

Omar de la Cruz, director of the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival, expressed his enthusiasm because of the endorsement of the FIAPF, "this is a goal that was drawn up and consolidated during the tenth edition. This is an important acknowledgment to the Dominican Republic, the volunteers who work tirelessly to carry out each edition, the national film industry and the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE)."

De la Cruz stressed that with this decision the FCGD becomes the first Caribbean festival with FIAPF accreditation and the third in Latin America next to the International Film Festival of Mar de Plata and the International Film Festival of Cartagena de Indias. "It is an honor and a privilege that demonstrates the quality of the work and how the festival has strengthened in the Dominican Republic and worldwide." The decision was unanimous and extraordinary to know that Adrien Majourel's on-site evaluation during the last edition motivated this news ".

According to FIAPF President, Mr Luis Alberto Scalella, "Since the creation of the Dominican National law on the Promotion of the Film Industry implemented by President Fernandez in 2010, the Dominican Republic has accomplished a fantastic work to promote the film industry and to attract foreign productions. Festival de Cine Global Dominicano is a key part of this strategy and, with this decision, FIAPF recognises the work that has been accomplished by the management team and supports the ambition of the Festival to become pivotal in the Caribean region." Luis Alberto Scalella added: "This accreditation, which acts as a seal of quality, will give new responsabilities to the Festival while providing it with international opportunities."

Dr. Leonel Fernández, former President of the Dominican Republic and President of FUNGLODE, expressed his satisfaction with this new accreditation, and conveyed the enthusiasm of the Foundation to the incorporation of the festival to this organization, reiterating the desire to be an accredited member and working closely with FIAPF through the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival.

While Yvette Marichal, director general of the Directorate General of Cinema of the Dominican Republic, commented that as a country, the Dominican Republic is proud to receive this exclusive accreditation from FIAPF. "Being the only Caribbean festival that has received this seal of excellence is of extreme importance to continue the efforts that have been developing over the years from the FCGD and the film industry of our nation."

The FIAPF, based in BERN, Switzerland and established in 1933, brings together 38 associations of film producers from 31 countries and aims to defend the creative, legal and regulatory interests of the Film Production sector worldwide. In addition, it has an active function towards the cinematographic festivals of the whole world as a regulator of international film festivals.