Dominican Republic makes history at Berlinale with first Silver Bear win

Berlin.– The Dominican Republic has achieved a historic milestone at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) with the film “Pepe” directed by Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias and produced by Tanya Valette and Pablo Lozano.

The film’s director has been awarded the coveted Silver Bear for Best Director, becoming the first Dominican to receive such a distinguished recognition from one of the world’s most prominent film festivals.

This achievement marks an unprecedented moment in the history of Dominican cinema, as it is the first time a Dominican film has participated in the official competition of this renowned festival and film market.

The announcement of this recognition was made during the Berlinale awards ceremony in Berlin, Germany, and since then, important figures have echoed this significant announcement.

The victory of its director, Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias, is not only a source of pride for the Dominican Republic but for all of Latin America, as it is the first time a Latino has won the Silver Bear for Best Director at this festival.

This milestone reflects the commitment and skill of talented Dominican professionals in creating quality cinematographic works that captivate and move global audiences. It also highlights the growth and excellence of the country’s film industry on the world stage.

With this recognition, the Dominican Republic continues to shine on the international film scene, demonstrating its ability to compete and excel at prestigious events such as the Berlinale.

The success of “Pepe” and its team is a testament to the talent and creativity that characterize the Dominican film industry, consolidating its position in the global film landscape.

It is worth noting that this film was financed through Article 34 of Law 108-10 for the Promotion of Cinematographic Activity in the Dominican Republic. It was also the winner of the Fondo para la Promoción Cinematográfica (Fonprocine) of the Dirección General de Cine (DGCINE) in the years 2021-2022.