What We Saw in Samaná Changed Us—Here’s What We’re Doing About It...

- April 10, 2026

A Festival Is Not Enough: Why We’re Investing in Samaná’s Creative Economy

Over the course of our time in Las Terrenas and the greater Samaná region, one thing became immediately clear to us: the spirit of the community is real, present, and deeply felt.

We were welcomed with warmth, openness, and generosity—by students, educators, local leaders, and everyday residents. That experience stayed with us in a meaningful way.

Las Terrenas is a place with a rich history—once a quiet fishing and farming village, now evolving as a growing destination with increasing global visibility. That evolution brings opportunity, but it also reveals gaps—particularly in access to the arts, creative education, and pathways into emerging industries like film and television.

We spent time listening, observing, and engaging—and what we saw was both inspiring and sobering.

Many families in the area are navigating life on monthly incomes ranging from approximately $200 to $300 USD. At the same time, there are bright, curious, and capable young people who, despite living in a world saturated with media, have never experienced a film on a big screen.

That stayed with us.

It reinforced for us that access—real access—still matters.

We believe that even in a small way, we can contribute.

Through the Dandelion Institute Film & Television Fellowship – Las Terrenas Summer Camp and Student Program, we are creating a structured pathway for students to move from curiosity to creation—and ultimately, to opportunity.

Creative Education & Student Development

In July, we will launch a five-day intensive summer camp, where each day is dedicated to a core phase of filmmaking:

Development
Pre-Production
Production
Post-Production
Marketing & Distribution

This experience introduces students to the full lifecycle of storytelling—from idea to audience.

From August through December, we will continue working with students through a monthly development model, focusing on one phase at a time—supporting them as they develop their ideas, prepare their projects, move into production, and ultimately complete their films.

From January through March, we will guide students through refining their work for public presentation. Select student films will be showcased as part of the Alma Film Festival, taking place March 12–21, 2027—creating a direct bridge between local talent and a global platform.

Workforce Development & Economic Opportunity

At the same time, we are placing a strong emphasis on workforce development at the entry level, recognizing that the film and television industry can serve as a meaningful pathway to economic mobility.

As production activity continues to grow across the Dominican Republic—with increasing interest in the Samaná and Las Terrenas region from international productions—we believe it is essential that local residents are positioned to participate in and benefit from that growth.

Our focus will be on preparing individuals for entry-level roles such as Production Assistants (PAs) and positions within the Grip Department, which are among the most accessible and in-demand entry points into the industry.

Through targeted training, exposure, and coordination with production teams, we aim to:

Create pathways to real, paid on-set opportunities
Expand income possibilities for local residents
Build a reliable local workforce for incoming productions
Contribute to the diversification of the local economy

This is about more than training—it’s about access to opportunity and long-term sustainability.

Community Access & Ecosystem Building

In addition to the fellowship, we are committed to hosting free community screenings, creating opportunities for residents—many for the first time—to experience films in a shared, cinematic environment.

We are also actively building relationships with key stakeholders across the region—including the local film commission, the tourism department, the mayor’s office, and community leaders—to ensure that this work is collaborative, aligned, and beneficial to the broader ecosystem.

As the Alma Film Festival continues to grow its presence in Samaná each year, we are committed to being thoughtful stewards of the community we are entering. Our goal is not simply to bring a festival, but to build relationships, expand access, and support long-term creative and economic opportunity.