Yvette Marichal, director of the governmental Film Agency (DGCine), says that foreign film companies invested US$58 million in making movies in the Dominican Republic last year. She says this is a big leap from US$14 million invested in 2015.
Marichal spoke at the opening of the First National Film Congress from 23-24 March 2017, at the Ministry of Foreign Relations conventions center in Santo Domingo. The event is focusing on developing strategies to strengthen and develop the film industry in the country. The event is open to the general public.
Marichal highlighted how, six years after the government established a series of incentives to the film sector as part of the Films Law 108-10, the country is beginning to see positive effects of the government’s policies that make the Dominican Republic an attractive place for cinemograph projects.
Marichal pointed out that there are still areas that need more attention. She noted that the law stipulates that the legislation must be reviewed in ten years and so she urged the sector to stay dynamic and stay on top of the trends in the industry in order to ensure its sustainability.
Marichal spoke of the success of the Dominican films, highlighting the positive reception that local films enjoyed in important international film festivals. Films such as “Carpinteros” by José María Cabral at Sundance; “Samba,” by Laura Amelia Guzmán and Israel Cárdenas at Tribeca and “Candy Town” by Yanillys Pérez in Cannes all received good reviews at their showings.
The event has the backing of the Vice President Office, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Ministry of Culture and the Center for Exports and Investments (CEI-RD).
Former President Leonel Fernandez is set to speak at the closing of the congress.
Read more in Spanish:
El Nuevo Diario
DGCine
DGCine
24 March 2017
