New York, June 29, 2015 – The 4th Dominican Film Festival in New York City concluded with the US Premiere of Yo soy la Salsa: The Life of Johnny Pacheco, a documentary that pays tribute to one of the most beloved and legendary artists of the Dominican Republic, Johnny Pacheco. Held at the Columbia University Medical Center Alumni Auditorium in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, the film was enthusiastically received, as the audience applauded and cheered during many of the film’s great moments. The film included a large cast of salsa stars, including Johnny Pacheco himself, Marc Anthony, Rubén Blades, and Yanfourd. Native New Yorker & multiple Grammy-winning singer Marc Anthony received several rounds of applause from fellow New Yorkers — he clearly has a very loyal local fan base who enjoyed his discussion on salsa music, influences and career.
Closing night theater attendees included: Andres Van der Horst, film producer; Cuqui Pacheco, wife of Johnny Pacheco; Ramon Pineda, regional director of Univision TV and Omar de la Cruz, director of the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival. The closing ceremony had many emotional moments both during and after the film, including a standing ovation at the end. Andres Van der Horst said that this project was started by the great love he had for salsa music and “if we were to say the three major contributions that Dominican Republic has given to music it would be merengue, bachata and Johnny Pacheco.” Ramon Pineda applauded the festival’s efforts to bring Dominican culture to the Big Apple; Armando Guareño, Founder and Executive Director of DFFNY, concluded with “see you next year for the 5th edition.”
Following the premiere, DFFNY hosted a private after-party held at 809 Restaurant,Bar & Grill located at 112 Dyckman Street. Guests enjoyed mingling with Dominican film industry leaders, organizers & participants. The party was great fun; guests enjoyed drinks & treats provided by the generous sponsors as they celebrated closing night with enthusiasm & (of course) great salsa music & dancing (see photos below).
The Dominican Film Festival New York (DFFNY) is organized by Cinema Art Entertainment Productions, in collaboration with the Dominican Global Film Festival. Now in its fourth year, its sponsors include the General Directorate of Film Dominican Republic (DGCINE), Columbia University Medical Center, The Chamber of Commerce of Washington Heights & Inwood, International Altera, Apple Bank, The Hispanic Federation, Delta Airlines, Councillor Hon. Ydanis Rodriguez, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Office of Tourism Dominican Republic, Univision New York, New York Unimas, The Armory Foundation, Univision Radio, Dominican Cultural Commission in New York, Latin Trends Magazine, Dyckman Beers, Emblem Health, amongst others.
The 4th Annual Dominican Film Festival NY wass held at Columbia University Medical Center Alumni Auditorium