The groundbreaking SmartFilms festival, which champions the art of filmmaking using only mobile phones, has officially launched in the Dominican Republic. This marks the first time the innovative festival, born in Colombia, will be held in the Caribbean nation, Diario Libre reports.
Actress Evelyna Rodríguez and producer Danilo Reynoso are spearheading the festival’s arrival. “This is the world’s largest festival, and after three years of work, we can finally bring it to the Dominican Republic,” Rodríguez told reporters at a press conference.
Rodríguez emphasized the festival’s educational mission, stating that SmartFilms “has an academic agenda that will allow everyone to learn how to make films with limited resources and tell simple stories.” The festival targets a broad audience, including students, cinema enthusiasts, and anyone with a mobile phone and a compelling story.
Beyond the competition, SmartFilms is introducing “La Ruta Peliculera” (The Film Route), an educational tour that will bring workshops and talks to 16 provinces across the country. Cities such as Santiago, Azua, Samaná, Puerto Plata, San Cristóbal, and La Altagracia are among those that will host film professionals sharing their expertise and insights with aspiring storytellers of all ages.
The categories and participation requirements for SmartFilms Dominicana will be announced on 28 July 2025. Prizes for winners include cash awards of up to RD$300,000 and other benefits.
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Diario Libre
17 July 2025