A press conference for the upcoming Dominican Film Festival saw the press and filmmakers come together for a night that not only announced the films, but also allowed filmmakers and reporters to mingle.

Festival founder and executive director Armando Guareno introduced the festival and thanked all the sponsors, including Univision, UniMas, Harlem Pride, 1199 and Festival de cine Global Dominicano. Guareno also announced that there would be 50 films in the festival from all around the world that focused on Dominicans.

Guareno noted that the festival would be held in three different venues including Columbia University Medical Center, the Armory Foundation Hall of Fame Theater and Comisionado de Cultura Dominicano USA. He also stated that many Dominicans would travel from Dominican Republic to the festival. He said, "we will have approximately 25 actors, director and producers come from Dominican Republic to represent their films. Every movie will have someone representing."

Guareno was also excited for the opening film "Dolares de Arena" which stars the legendary actress Geraldine Chaplin. "The directors and producers of this internationally acclaimed film will be here," he added. The film has already screened at the Toronto Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The director of the festival discussed the closing night film "Yo Soy la Salsa, La Vida de Johnny Pacheco." He said, "it is our big event because Johnny Pacheco was our legendary and it is honor that the film will have its world premiere at our festival."

Among the celebrities present at the event were Zoila Ceballos, a model and actress who is best known for her participation in Nuestra Belleza Latina. Producer Iorgo Papoutsas and director Christopher James Lopez were also present. Papoutsas is representing his film "The Game" while Lopez is representing his latest film "In the Deep." The movie is a follow-up to his short "The Cure" which screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012.

Following Guareno's presentation, James Duarte, the creative director, spoke about the film festival. He thanked Guareno for allowing him the opportunity to work with the Dominican Film Festival and for giving him the opportunity to serve as the creative director. He added, "were celebrity the diversity of Dominican culture and diversity of this years program including and honoring Dominican women. They are doing a great deal in Dominican cinema and I think that deserves a big round of applause."

The Dominican Film Festival is celebrating its fourth year and will run from June 24 - 26. The festival will also include a number of panels and each screening will be followed with Q&As.