Dominican Film Archive Marks 46 Years, Preserving National Heritage

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Cinemateca Dominicana is celebrating its 46th anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the Dominican Republic's cinematic heritage. The institution currently houses an extensive collection of more than 51,000 items, including audiovisual documents, books, posters, and films in various formats.

As a key division of the General Directorate of Cinema (DGCINE), the Cinemateca has solidified its position as the nation's most vital film archive. It serves as a crucial hub for cinematic knowledge, dedicated to the preservation, research, dissemination, and promotion of the country's audiovisual memory for present and future generations.

In 2025, the Cinemateca recorded significant progress aimed at democratizing access to cinema and strengthening audience engagement with audiovisual history. This included more than 17,000 visits to its Arturo Rodríguez Media Library, the reproduction of 2,214 films for consultation and research, and the deposit of 36 new Dominican films through its "Deposita tu Obra" program.

The Cinemateca Dominicana has also expanded its outreach initiatives to ensure cinema reaches broader audiences both domestically and internationally. Notable projects include "Cinemateca Sobre Ruedas" (Cinematheque on Wheels), "Cine Dominicano para la Diáspora" (Dominican Cinema for the Diaspora), Cinemateca TV, national and international film showcases, cine-forums, and educational cycles.

The institution continues to enhance its technical infrastructure and preservation capabilities. With support from UNESCO, its preservation vault underwent modernization. The French Embassy contributed to an innovative technical and training project, which included the acquisition of a new projector.

Further collaborative efforts with Jazz at Lincoln Center and National Freight Service (NFS) led to the installation of a modern new screen in Sala A, designated for film exhibitions. During the tenure of DGCINE Director Marianna Vargas Gurilieva, the Arturo Rodríguez Media Library, a modern space for consultation and research, was also inaugurated.

Vargas Gurilieva emphasized the Cinemateca's historical importance. "The Cinemateca Dominicana is a space created to safeguard our history and ensure that Dominican cinema never stops shining," she stated. "For 46 years, the Cinemateca has been the home of our audiovisual memory and an an essential part of our identity."

She extended gratitude to allied institutions, guilds, collaborators, and cinephiles for their ongoing support. "Our commitment is to keep audiovisual memory alive, train new audiences, and continue building a space for all cinema lovers," Vargas Gurilieva added. "The Cinemateca Dominicana will remain the place where Dominican cinema is preserved, studied, viewed, and lived."

José Enrique Rodriguez, director of the Cinemateca Dominicana, reflected on the anniversary as a testament to the institution's achievements, challenges, and significant advancements. "The space has remained firm, resilient, and in constant evolution," Rodriguez said. "Thanks to this collective support, the Cinemateca Dominicana continues, and will continue, to be the home of Dominican cinema and an essential space to protect, study, and honor our cinematographic heritage."

Forty-six years after its founding, the General Directorate of Cinema and its Cinemateca Dominicana remain dedicated to being an open, inclusive space serving the country. Their mission continues to be the preservation, education, and sharing of cinema, always with the vision of safeguarding cultural identity and strengthening the bond between citizens and the seventh art.