THE THIRD ANNUAL DOMINICAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WRAPS UP THE FOUR-DAY FESTIVAL AT SUN VILLAGE

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic(SANEPR.com) November 16, 2007 -- The Third Annual Dominican International Film Festival wrapped up four days of fun, sun and film on Sunday, November 11 after a successful four-day festival. Guests, filmmakers, film lovers and celebrities traveled from all over the world to be a part of this unique beachside film festival held at the luxurious, all-inclusive Sun Village Resort & Spa in Cofresi Beach, Dominican Republic.

The festival hosted four-days of industry film panels, children’s film workshops, feature screenings, shorts and documentary screenings, as well as a special Spanish-language program. In total, the festival featured an array of films from 13 different countries and in 8 different languages.

The highlights from this week include:

** Emmy Award-winning actor Joe Pantoliano attended this year’s festival for the screening of the critically acclaimed film, Canvas, starring Pantoliano along side Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden. Pantoliano offered an hour-long Q&A session about the film which addresses the effects of mental illness on a suburban family. During the session, Pantoliano opened up about his own struggle with mental illness, his experience and the importance of acceptance.

** Dania Ramirez and Manny Perez were recognized at this year’s festival for their achievements in film and television as well as their willingness and commitment to give back to their native country, the Dominican Republic. Perez was awarded with the JetBlue Humanitarian Award and shared with the festival guests about his own experience growing up in the Dominican. Ramirez graciously accepted the Rising Star Award. This award was Ramirez’s first award in the Dominican Republic and she was proud to be receiving it in her home country.

** The Dominican International Film Festival concentrated on a new philanthropic program during the past week by partnering with Crocs, Inc, JetBlue Airways and the Elliott Foundation to distribute 10,000 pairs of recycled Crocs™ to Dominican children in need of shoes. Manny Perez (Bella, El Cantante), Julissa Bermudez (BET, Make it Happen, The Wannabe), Jenn Boss (AVP player) and Jake Gibbs (AVP player) met with the children and assisted with the distribution of Crocs to the communities most in need in the Dominican Republic.

** A group of children from the local community were also invited to the festival to participate in a children’s film workshop by Directors’ Cut. Manny Perez (Bella, El Cantante), Dania Ramirez (Heroes, The Sopranos), Jessy Terrero (The Sopranos, Brooklyn to Manhattan) and Julissa Bermudez (BET, Make It Happen) attended the children’s workshops and worked with the children on acting, film making and claymation.

For more information about the films and special guests of this year’s festival, please visit www.dominicaninternationalfilmfestival.com.

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About Dominican International Film Festival
The Dominican International Film Festival is a young, rapidly growing festival dedicated to promoting independent filmmaking. The Festival separates itself from other film festivals by embracing the Latin American flavor through screenings of Latin American feature films, promoting renowned Dominican stars and its dedication to providing live Dominican entertainment. The 2007 Festival will include a variety of screenings of some of the year’s top films, panels and workshops that feature award-winning actors, writers and directors, VIP parties and live entertainment. This year’s Festival will also recognize two award recipients in the following categories: The 2007 Rising Star Award and 2007 Humanitarian Award. The Dominican International Film Festival is produced by Elliott, the dynamic parent company of Sun Village Resort & Spa and the new Maxim Bungalows in the Dominican Republic and Vincent Partners, a NY-based marketing firm.

Editor’s Note: High-res images, celebrity items and interviews, film panel items and interviews and film descriptions are available upon request by contacting Erin Maxwell, Vincent Partners Public Relations at erinm@vincentpartners.com or
212-627-3439 ext. 443.