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Hi, ikorking !

In your post you mentioned that you stayed at Tropical Azul (formerly Sosua Bay Hotel). I'd like to know how you liked that hotel including the physical facilities, the food and services.

As to your background in film making, you come at the right time because the DR has a new and fast growing movie industry based on a generous law that grants tax incentives to investors, producers and other players.

The law was passed about 4 years ago and already there has been a considerable surge in quantity and quality of local films. Just as two examples, a movie was released a couple of months ago based on the real story of the assassination of dictator Trujillo in 1961. An impeccable film as far as I'm concerned. It's called "Teniente Amado"; unfortunately, I don't know if there is a version subtitled in English -- but I imagined there is one, and I'm sure this film is going to win international awards.

And just last week I watched the most hilarious satire about Dominican culture in a working class neighborhood ("barrio").....low budget but well made and entertaining. I enjoyed it so much that I'm planning to go back and watch it again. "Mi Angel Preferido"; ditto for language.

There is a film studio under construction on the South Coast and others planned throughout the country; it is a joint venture between local developers and Pinewood Studios of the UK. And the ITLA technology center has a technical and college-level film school.

FUNGLODE is an NGO that has given the film industry the greatest thrust. Every year in the fall they hold an Environmental Film Festival (just ended) and an International Film Festival (scheduled for November); this latter one is a week-long festival full of short films and feature films that have won international awards and a lot of conferences and panels for people involved in the film industry and others (like me) who merely have a cultural interest in it.

The international festival takes place in Santo Domingo and several other cities, including Puerto Plata. It brings together actors, producers and filmmakers from various parts of the world. In the past few years we've had Omar Sharif, Liza Minelli and other high profile actors visit.

And as for the Environmental Film Festival, I always attend but this last one was particularly interesting because the most important visitor was the famous French nature photographer and filmmaker Yann-Arthus Bertrand, whose works I've admired for a long time. He gave a magnificent conference and some of his latest films were screened, particularly "A Thirsty Planet" which I wrote about on LinkedIn. Mr. Bertrand is now filming scenes in the DR and Haiti for his next film, with FUNGLODE's support.

Bottom line, I share your interest in the film industry. If you are serious about getting involved in it perhaps I could help you. Start by attending the next movie festival in Puerto Plata, but better still if you come to Santo Domingo, visit the Superintendence of Films, the Indomina movie studios and other sources of information.

But I recommend that you first make a definite plan. What it is that you want to do, when and why. How much time, effort and $$$ you're willing to invest, etc. I say this because right now it seems to me like all you have is a vague wish. Darlene is great at preparing business plans and can help you turn your wish into a concrete, viable project.

Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions. Likewise for any other forum member who shares my interest in the film industry.

Note: in a separate post I will provide links to the movies I mentioned so you can view the trailer. Links have to be approved by the moderator so I don't include them in this post so as not to delay its publication.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,
LUIS