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Alma Film Festival Announces 2026 Award Winners Across the Global South

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Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic — March 2026 The 2026 Alma Film Festival concluded with a powerful celebration of cinema from across the Global South, honoring films and artists whose work reflects the depth, creativity, and cultural force emerging from around the world. From Gabon to Cameroon, Switzerland to Fiji, Jamaica to Kenya , this year’s awards underscore Alma’s commitment to storytelling as a vehicle for connection, cultural exchange, and global dialogue. ----------- Honorary Recognition  -----------  The Dr. Cornel West Award for Global Truth & Cultural Conscience was presented to Rachel M’Bon of Switzerland , co-director of Je Suis Noires  and her work with Now We Are Rising and Afropeian Cultural Center . Je Suis Noires stands as a profound meditation on identity, belonging, and the lived experience of Black women in Switzerland—an essential contribution to global cinematic discourse. -----------  Marquee Awards  -----------...

Alma Film Festival Announces Official Selection Threads, Beats & Legends: Sesotho Alive

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Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic — The Alma Film Festival proudly announces the official selection of Threads, Beats & Legends: Sesotho Alive , a compelling cultural documentary from Lesotho that explores how a new generation of Basotho youth are preserving and reimagining their cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world. Set against the dramatic landscapes and living traditions of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, Threads, Beats & Legends: Sesotho Alive follows a vibrant community of young creatives who are reshaping the future of Sesotho culture through music, fashion, visual arts, film, and storytelling. The film captures how culture is carried forward through language, rhythms, clothing, rituals, and oral traditions passed down across generations. Guided by historians, elders, and cultural knowledge-keepers, the documentary provides a rich exploration of Basotho identity and the symbols, stories, and practices that continue to shape society today. At the same time, t...

Alma Film Festival Announces South African Documentary Jozi, I Write My Story as an Official Selection

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A poetic portrait of Johannesburg and the dreamers shaping its future The Alma Film Festival proudly announces the selection of Jozi, I Write My Story , a visually striking documentary directed by emerging South African filmmaker Mandisa Mary-Jane Mtembu . Set against the sprawling energy of Johannesburg—often called the City of Gold —the film explores the tension between ambition, creativity, and survival in one of Africa’s most dynamic urban centers. Through interviews, personal reflections, and evocative cityscapes, the documentary examines how individuals navigate opportunity and adversity while attempting to shape their own legacy.  Jozi, I Write My Story follows Mtembu herself as a young creative confronting a central question: In a city full of possibility and pressure, how do you define the story you want to leave behind? The film weaves together the voices of Johannesburg residents who have transformed the city’s energy into purpose alongside those whose dreams have been...

Alma Film Festival Joins Daily Border Crossings Podcast for Global Dialogue on Storytelling, Identity, and “The Necessity of Something New”

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Festival Director Anthony R. Page leads conversations with international filmmakers and cultural leaders from across 52 cities in 35 countries. Atlanta, GA / Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic — The Alma Film Festival recently joined journalist and educator CS (Samantha) Fletcher’s podcast Daily Border Crossings for a special set of conversations exploring storytelling, identity, and the evolving role of cinema in shaping cultural dialogue across the world. The discussions were guided by Anthony R. Page , Founder and Festival Director of the Alma Film Festival, who set the tone for both sessions by framing the conversations within the festival’s growing global network and its central theme: “The Necessity of Something New.” The Alma Film Festival community now connects collaborators across 52 cities in 35 countries , bringing together filmmakers, scholars, artists, and cultural leaders committed to expanding how stories are told and who gets to tell them. Hosted by Fletcher, Daily Bo...

Alma Film Festival Announces Transportation Partnership with Trip App to Enhance Guest Experience in Las Terrenas

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  As the Alma Film Festival prepares to welcome filmmakers, artists, industry leaders, and global guests to Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, from March 17–22, 2026 , the festival is pleased to introduce a convenient transportation solution designed to enhance the overall hospitality experience for attendees. In partnership with Trip , the local ride-hailing platform operated by Servistaxi, festival guests will have access to fast, reliable, and professionally managed transportation throughout Las Terrenas and across the Dominican Republic. This collaboration is part of the Alma Film Festival’s broader commitment to providing high-level concierge support and seamless mobility for visiting guests , ensuring that attendees can fully enjoy the festival’s screenings, conversations, cultural experiences, and community activations across the Samaná Peninsula. Using the Trip App , guests can easily request transportation to key destinations, including: • Alma Film Festival screening venu...

The Secret Is Samaná Episode Explores Santa Bárbara de Samaná—The Cultural Heart of the Peninsula

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  SAMANÁ, Dominican Republic — The latest episode of The Secret Is Samaná , the travel documentary series produced by iTravel for Culture , turns its attention to a place many travelers overlook: Santa Bárbara de Samaná , the historic and cultural capital of the Samaná Peninsula. While most visitors to the region remain within the resort-lined beaches of Las Terrenas , this episode ventures deeper into the peninsula to reveal a city rich with culture, history, and everyday life. Guided by local host Leonyz Armand Jorge—known simply as Leon , the journey begins with a promise he repeats throughout the day: “My house has the best view in all of Samaná.” But before viewers ever see that view, Leon leads the crew through the city itself—introducing the people, landscapes, and traditions that shape Santa Bárbara’s identity. The episode unfolds as a road trip through the heart of the peninsula, offering a layered portrait of Samaná beyond the postcard imagery of Caribbean travel. Stops ...