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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

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