Founder and Executive Director of the Dominican Film Festival, Armando Guareno has worked in several film festivals along with producing movies

His humble beginning started in Dominican Republic and his passion was driven in the arts. With a Master’s in Film and Video Production from City College, Guareno had a vision that was clear in achieving success especially for the Latino community. He saw a world where he wanted to see more of those who understood his culture and the layers of it.

Armando Guareno (striped tie) host Dominican Film Festival

Armando Guareno (striped tie) host Dominican Film Festival

He explained the reasoning for starting of the festival, “Our food and music were everywhere, but where were the arts of ours? I needed an answer for that.”

The Dominican Film Festival in New York (DFFNYC) started three years ago, with the first year showing just 10 films and now over 30 films in this year, the festival reflects growth in a rapid measure.

The buzz for the festival has been heart warming to those involved in the process and it will only get stronger once it approaches. DFFNYC does not look for comparison to other festivals because it is certain that the work put into it is authentic to the core.

The festival’s slogan, embody the culture and enhance your discovery, specifically wants to enlighten those of the great talents of Dominican descent. There is such a unique spin of telling a Dominican story and expressing it can be challenging; however, there are minds that can capture the uniqueness in a short or long form film and recognition is needed for that.

The festival has an objective to produce a platform for unknown and established Dominican filmmakers. There is also an importance in ensuring the Washington Heights area is given an outlet to see the work of these great talents.

With the support from stars Manny Perez (“Greencard Warrior”), Kiki Melendez (Journey of a Female Comic) and Laura Gomez (“Hallelujah”) in this year’s lineup, the festival is growing at a pace that is impossibly to be ignored. “I am so grateful to AMC Theaters for supporting and nurturing independent women and minority filmmakers like myself,” said Melendez. “And our inclusion within the Dominican Film Festival is incredibly exciting and rewarding.”

The festival is creating a path that speaks volume and establishing not just a festival, but also a brand. The Third Annual Dominican Film Festival in New York runs from June 18^th to 22^nd. For more information regarding the festival and the schedule for each film, please visit the site.

Article by: Chris Lawton

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Kiki is Back in NY

Fan Demand Fuels Melendez’ Journey of A Female Comic NYC Encore and Debut Docu-Comedy Slated for Spotlight at Dominican Film Festival in NY

Online PR News : 09-June-2014 – New York – Following very successful weekend openings at AMC Theaters in New York and Los Angeles, Kiki Melendez -Journey of a Female Comic will receive a second limited engagement at AMC Empire 25 in NYC, June 27 to July 3, 2014. The Docu-Comedy is also being showcased at the Dominican Film Festival in New York (DFFNY), June 19 at 6 pm, Alumni Auditorium, Columbia University.