7th Dominican Film Festival New York Announces Winning Films at Closing Night Ceremony

The 7th Dominican Film Festival NY announced the winning films during its Closing Night Ceremony at the AMC EMPIRE 25 in Manhattan. July 24-29, 2018, DFFNY screened over 80 films, 18 of which were on the ballot for audience consideration. On Sunday, July 29th, DFFNY announced Flor del Sol by first time director Dilia Pacheco as the winner of the Official Feature Film competition. Todas las Mujeres son Iguales was chosen by the audience to receive DFFNY's Audience Award. Best Director went to Archie LOPEZ for Luis. Best Actorto Dominican marvel Alfonso Rodriguez for Luis and Best Actress to Cheddy Garcia for Todas las Mujeres son Iguales. The jury in the fiction category included director, actress Lia Chapman and actor Juan Fernandez.

"Dilia Pacheco's portrait of Victor Mendez Capellán, a working-class orphan who armed only with his wits became one the most successful businessman in Dominican Republic, is a powerful, heartfelt and cinematic delight," stated the jury when handling the prize.

Four separate categories were considered on the short films competition: the "Dominicans in the Diaspora Short Film Showcase," in which 16 shorts competed, "Short Films - Big Stories," which included 13 short films; "Women in film" with 7 films participating and The Latino U.S Experience which included 10 stories. In the Diaspora Showcase, the jury award first place to Someday by director J.S Mayank. Mamba (Sam Puefua) and La Entreviu (Maite Bonilla) took home second and third place, respectively, and The devil's Courier (Jason Marrero) received a Special Jury Mention. In "Short Films - Big Stories," the jury awarded first place to Chanel by director Humberto Vallejoand Special Jury Mention to Zozobra by Jose Luis Jimenez. In Women in Film the award went to Elena directed by Ayerim Villanueva and in the Latino Experience in U.S the award went to Para mi Madre by Sam Hayden. The jury in the Short Film Categories included actor Kevin Martinez, director Christopher James LOPEZ and film critic Duarte Geraldino.

A full house attended the Closing Night Ceremony and Awards Presentation, followed by the New York premiere of Hermanos. Director Archie LOPEZ and producer Desiree Reyes were present to lead a Q&A after the screening. Barceló Rum sponsored the Closing Night Ceremony, Screening, and After Party.

Running July 24-29, 2018, under the slogan "Cinema Unites Us!",DFFNYC screened in five venues across Manhattan with the AMC EMPIRE 25(234 W 42ndStreet) as its main venue and hosted more than 50 actors and filmmakers in town to participate in Q&As and panel discussions. The program included a variety of cinematic genres and formats- and all films were from the Dominican Republic and/or co-produced with countries such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia and the U.S. Now in its seven edition, the festival has continuously offered a platform for members of the Dominican film industry wherein both new and established filmmakers can promote their works to the public, establishing DFFNY as a premier cultural event for Uptown and Washington Heights' residents.

For interviews with DFFNYC's Executive Director, Armando Guareño and filmmakers contact Diana Vargas at 917-658-7735 / press@dianavargas.comor press.dffny@gmail.com.

ABOUT US

The 7th annual Dominican Film Festival in New York (DFFNYC) runs July 24-29, 2018 under the slogan: "El Cine Nos Une / Cinema Unites Us." The program includes a variety of cinematic genres and formats- and all films are from the Dominican Republic and/or co-produced with countries such as Spain, France and the U.S. The festival offers a platform for members of the Dominican film industry wherein both new and established filmmakers can promote their works to the public, establishing DFFNYC as a premier cultural event for New York City.

Organized by Cine Art Entertainment Productions. Its roster of sponsors includes Hon. Council member Ydanis Rodriguez, The NYC Mayor's Office of Median and Entertainment, Dominican Tourism Board- Ministry of Tourism and the support of Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, Assembly member Carmen de La Rosa, Spectrum, Delta Air Lines, The Hispanic Federation, Dirección General de Cine (DGCINE). DFFNYC 2018 media sponsors are: Univision, Unimás, Telemicro, El Diario La Prensa, LatinMaps, El Especialito, Impacto Latino Newspaper. Other sponsors are: Ron Barceló, Agape Luxury Cars, WellCare. Viva Wyndham Resorts is the official hotel of DFFNYC.

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