For the third consecutive year, Dominican cinema has made a strong showing at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), the Presidency reports. This year marks a new milestone for the country’s film industry, with two productions selected for different sections of the festival.
“Colosal,” directed by Nayibe Tavares Abel and produced by Lei González, and “Juanita,” co-directed by Dominican filmmaker Karen Joaquín and Brazilian director Uliane Tatit, are the two films representing the Dominican Republic at Berlinale 2025.
“Colosal” made its world premiere in the Berlinale Forum section, known for its focus on auteur cinema. The film was presented to the press on February 13th and had its first public screening on February 15th, which was a sold-out event, demonstrating the growing international interest in Dominican cinema.
This production was one of the winners of the Dominican Republic’s Film Promotion Fund (Fonprocine) in 2017, highlighting the positive impact of film promotion funds in the country.
“Juanita,” the short film co-directed by Karen Joaquín, will premiere on February 19th, adding to the recognition of Dominican filmmaking talent at this year’s Berlinale. This participation confirms the growth of Dominican cinema in international circuits and its ability to address fresh and relevant narratives in a global context.
Institutional support has been key to this representation. The Dominican delegation’s participation in Berlinale is backed by the Dominican Embassy in Germany. This support underscores the importance of cinema as a cultural ambassador and tool for strengthening the international projection of the Dominican film industry.
Marianna Vargas Gurilieva, director of the General Directorate of Cinema (DGCINE), emphasized the significance of this participation, stating: “The presence of ‘Colosal’ and ‘Juanita’ at Berlinale is a testament to the talent and creativity of our filmmakers. This achievement not only fills us with pride but also reinforces our commitment to continue promoting the internationalization of Dominican cinema.”
With this outstanding participation in Berlinale 2025, the Dominican Republic reaffirms its position on the world film stage and consolidates the recognition of its national cinema as an artistic expression with global reach.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
18 February 2025