"La Graduá" directed by Adrián Manzano — “La Graduá” directed by Adrián Manzano

The 5th Dominican Film Festival in New York (DFFNY) announced today its official program. More than 20 films will participate in what has become the biggest celebration to the Dominican film industry outside of the Dominican Republic.

DFFNY runs June 22 thru 26, with several actors and filmmakers in town to participate in the Q&As and panel discussions.

The program starts on Wednesday June 22nd, 7pm, with the U.S premiere of “La Familia Reyna” (“The Reyna’s Family”) directed by Tito Rodriguez at the United Palace Theater (4140 Broadway, bet. 175th – 176th Streets.)

Rodríguez’s directorial debut is a cheerful comedy-drama that puts a new spin on the prodigal son’s old tale. When the rebel eldest son of a prosperous family returns home, his arrival sets off a series of events that will help them forget old feuds. This is a family drama and an entertaining and moving story of love and forgiveness. Shot in El Valle Constanza, “The Reyna’s Family” cast includes David Maler and Danilo Reynoso, and the special participation of Adalgisa Pantaleón, Cuquín Victoria, Evelyna Rodríguez and Carasaf Sanchez.

A diverse program with the slogan “Our Culture, Our Music, Our People, Our Cinema!” presents films from the Dominican Republic and films co-produced with countries such as Spain, Venezuela, and USA. The festival offers a platform for those in the Dominican film industry, while allowing new and established producers to promote their works to the public, becoming the cultural event for Uptown and Washington Heights residents. The screening venues are, the Alumni Auditorium of Columbia University Medical Center (650 West 168th Street, corner of Broadway); the United Palace Theater (4140 Broadway, bet. 175th – 176th Streets); the Hall of Fame Theater of the Armory Foundation (at 216 Forth Washington Avenue, near 168th Street) and the Comisionado Dominicano de Cultura in U.S. (541 West 145th Street, 2nd Floor.)

The festival closes on Sunday June 26th, 7pm, with the world premiere of the comedy “Todos los hombres son iguales” (“All Men Are the Same”), directed by Manuel Gomez Pereira and starring Christian Meier, Frank Perozo and Nashia Borgaert. Additional gala screenings includes the box-office success “La Gunguna”, directed by Ernesto Alemany, starring Angel Mejia, Gerardo Mercedes and Isaac Saviñon.

“DFFNY has become a unique outlet for Dominican talents both living in THE ISLAND and those working in USA and around the world. The Festival also invites first-time filmmakers to show their creativity, talent, and artistic view of the world. Our goal is to bring unique voices that prove that we Dominicans come from diverse backgrounds and cultures,” said Armando Guareño, Founder and Executive Director of DFFNY.

Some of the participating films are:

– “Algún lugar” (“On the Road, Somewhere”) directed by Guillermo Zouain – NY Premiere
– “La Graduá” directed by Adrián Manzano – World Premiere
– “Detective Willy” directed by Jose Maria Cabral – NORTH AMERICA Premiere
– “Dos policías en apuro” directed by Francis Dislas – NORTH AMERICA Premiere
– “A orillas del mar” (“By The Sea”) directed Bladimir Abud – U.S Premiere
– “Maria Montez” directed by Vicente Peñarrocha
– “Nana” (“Nany”) directed by Tatiana Fernandez – U.S Premiere
– “Oro y Polvo” (“Powder and Gold”) directed by Felix Limardo – U.S Premiere
– “La montaña” (“The Mountain”) directed by Tabaré Blanchard e Iván Herrera – NORTH AMERICA Premiere
– ‘El fondillo maravilloso” directed by Cesar Rodriguez
– “Size Does Matter” (El tamaño importa) directed by Luis Camilo – U.S Premiere

The complete list of films, schedule and high-resolution photos are available on our website: www.dominicanfilmfestival.com.

The DFFNY is organized by Cine Art Entertainment Productions, in collaboration with The Global Film Festival of the Dominican Republic. Its roster of sponsors include the Dominican Film Commission (DGCine), Columbia University Medical Center, the Chamber of Commerce of Washington heights and Inwood, Telemicro Internacional, Apple Bank, The Hispanic Federation, Delta Air Lines, Councilman Hon. Ydanis Rodriguez, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dominican Republic Tourism Board, Univision Nueva York, UniMás Nueva York, The Armory Foundation, Univision Radio, Comisionado Dominicano de Cultura en New York, Latin Trends Magazine, Dyckman Beers, Emblem Health, among others.

Adrián Manzano

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