Discoveries from Dominican Republic World Cinema

An exploration into the beaches and theology of the Dominican Republic.

A Dominican amateur comedian returns to his country after failing to achieve his dream in New York.

Clara, trapped in her thoughts, remembers fragments of her past while reciting a poem dedicated to the Gods, in search of answers to discover herself, and thus be able to accept the future that is to come, as well as her reason for living.

Beatriz is a film student who is working with a young man she finds to be very attractive, and would like to go out with him, but the author of the short film has different plans for her.

Rowen, who in her free time finds relief in street dancing, is presented with the opportunity to dance professionally, but to do so she must face her alter-ego who prevents her from saying goodbye to the job that brings stability to her and her younger sister Renee. .

An egocentric young businessman and his secretary end up stranded in a trip to the countryside, getting in an odyssey that will test their faith and patience.

The story of an elderly lady.

The Dominican Republic is the second largest and most biodiverse country in the Caribbean. Known for the warmth and hospitality of its people, the Dominican Republic offers a mind-blowing nature, an exciting history and rich culture.

A documentary about a case of modern slavery in one of the largest sugar cane plantations in the world, located in the Dominican Republic and belonging to the Fanjul Family, one of the most powerful families in America.

In a small town where tradition outweighs desire, a young shoemaker asks his best friend to teach him how to dance son. But when they try to step onto the dance floor together, the town’s rejection forces the young man back to his room alone. There, barefoot on the wooden floor, he discovers his own quiet way of keeping the rhythm.

Based on the real-life story of Crucita Yin, a woman who was accused of infidelity and child abandonment through graffiti all over Santo Domingo.

Short film by Jean-Louis Jorge.

After losing the love of her life, elderly Melina retreats into her memories, revisiting her childhood and her past with Viktor, a displaced European refugee who finds belonging in her. As she relives his death, his spirit blends into the house she inhabits, where he takes care of her until her last days.

A photographic journey across half an island, unleashed by the desire to discover a previously invisible world. Will the photos make it visible?

In the year 2145, humanity collapsed after polluting 87% of the planet's drinking water. Ean Hernández, survivor number 0143-14, wanders among ruins and thirst, facing disease, loneliness, and the memory of a world that no longer exists. His only mission: to stay alive... one more day.

Guillermo, 78, is a marble restoration specialist working primarily in Havana's Colón Cemetery. Each day, he handles memories that aren't his: names, dates, and phrases that sum up lives he never lived. His craft gives visible form to others' memories, helping preserve stories that might fade away. Through each commission, he confronts not only others' farewells, but his own. As he engraves what others wish to keep, he waits for a story that might one day name him.

Ant-Man works as a wall watcher in his office's anthill, a job that requires his constant attention. One day, his friend, the Stick, distracts him and gets him fired, and Ant-Man takes violent revenge on him to prove he's worthy of his position again.

In a tunnel, thoughts are lost and desires rise, while lights are transformed into fleeting reflections.

After going their separate ways, Miguel, Leonardo, and Atello reunite for a night of games, reminiscing about old times. As the hours pass and the bottles empty, buried resentments resurface, leading them to a tragic ending.

Mena, an architecture professor in the midst of an existential crisis and facing bribery attempts from one of his students, disappears without a trace.

In A Freedom Struggle: Looking for Lucrecia Pérez, artist and filmmaker Génesis Valenzuela proposes the challenge of investigating the colonial wound and its echoes in the present through the human body. As part of the process of developing a feature-length documentary based on the case of the murder of Lucrecia Pérez, she expands her exploration into the performative gesture, choosing the market space—through pictorial representations from the colonial era and images and sounds of the present—as a crucible from which to reflect on identity, race, and representation in the Antilles.

Animated short film of an old man who lost her beloved woman during his youth time.

The story of a presumed serial killer nicknamed Petete in southwestern Dominican Republic.

The story of a serial killer wandering around the Yuna river.

An intimate portrait of the founder of Toque Profundo and Jodio, Loco Sucio (JLS), two key bands in Dominican rock. Through personal anecdotes and never-before-seen footage, this documentary explores the passion, resilience, and artistic legacy of the musician, offering a deeper look into his journey and impact on the music scene.

Otto tries to save his mother in a zombie apocalypse in the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo, the heat, the flame trees and the Sun. An essay-poem.

Documentary on La Poblada and the April 1984 Massacre in the Dominican Republic, focused from a historical, political, and sociological perspective with the aim of informing, understanding, and analyzing the events that occurred during the three days of La Poblada in the country.

After their mother’s death, Natasha and Héctor wrestle with their artistic identities. While Héctor its getting recognition and rising success through his paintings, Natasha questions whether he truly deserves the merit.

Imaginary Folklorist shows us a face never before known of the Dominican musician and composer, Fellé Vega, transporting us through his life and musical style.

“All three films made by Palau may be considered lost, but it is possible to see footage from his personal film archive in “Tras Las Huellas de Palau” (René Fortunato, 1985), used as b-roll material. In one of the shots, a large poster can be seen outside a theatre promoting Secrets (Frank Borzage, 1933). From this hint, we could say that some of these shots could date from that year, or the following. I have never understood how these surviving reels are not properly collected and preserved for what they are: some of our first moving images”. - Diego Cepeda

In a near future where climate change and artificial intelligence affect the way humans live, Alba bonds with the android Nina, her nurse in a modern nursing home. But one day technology malfunctions, and dark secrets are revealed.

Former gang member Ricardo tries to keep his son Joel off of the streets, but his legacy proves stronger than his intentions. Joel ascends through the gang’s hierarchy when he defeats fellow gang member Chivo, but things soon spiral out of control resulting in tragedy, heartbreak, and violence.

The story of Dominican Paralympic swimmer Patricio López.

The military and guerrilla career of Colonel Francisco Caamaño from the end of the 1965 Dominican civil war to his death in 1973.

A short film that explores the concept of dreams from a personal standpoint.

A look into the space that no longer we can claim our own. A farewell to the memories, view through the eyes of Dante, the observer. Today's responsible for the catharsis and misfortune of making us leave what we once called Home.

The fairy tale of an overthinker in love.

Four stories about the work of conservationist photographer Eladio Fernández through diverse zones of the Hispaniola island. Humpback whales, lost flowers and birds in danger of extinction.

“Esqueleto de Hierro” is an experimental short film that portrays my migration process (with all its burdens, pains, reflections, etc.) to Brazil, suffering from a new illness, and with an eternal longing for all my loved ones.

"La Duarte" has become an autonomous body, separated from the city, with its own biosphere. This bubble of chaos will get bigger and bigger as false civility grows. In order to coexist in the urban jungle, the animal will have to be provoked. Survival becomes primitive, instinctive, and visceral. The most important thing has been to resist and survive. You feel the fervour, you feel the danger and something that is hidden in this jungle.