Alma de Samaná Film Festival Launches March 2026

The Dominican Republic’s cinematic footprint is about to expand in a major way with the launch of the Alma de Samaná International Film Festival, scheduled for March 17–22, 2026, in the coastal town of Las Terrenas.

Led by CEO Dr. Diana Lynch, the festival is positioning Samaná as the next global filmmaking hub—boldly branding the region as the “Hollywood of the Caribbean.”

A Festival Built on Community, Not Competition

Unlike traditional film festivals driven by awards and rivalry, Alma de Samaná is rooted in a different philosophy: “Building Connections & Building Community.”

The festival intentionally moves away from rigid competition models, focusing instead on collaboration, dialogue, and cultural exchange between filmmakers and audiences. This approach reflects a growing shift in global cinema—one that values access, storytelling, and shared experience over trophies.

Audience-Powered Programming

One of the festival’s most innovative features is its audience-driven voting system. Viewers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite films before the event takes place, ensuring that screenings reflect what audiences genuinely want to see.

Programming will spotlight:

• New film releases shot in the Dominican Republic

• Submissions from filmmakers across the Caribbean, United States, and Canada

• Projects that celebrate regional narratives, identity, and diaspora stories

A Landmark Venue With Cultural Significance

The festival will be hosted at the Alma de Samaná Golf Resort & Residences, a historic choice in itself. The property is recognized as the first Black-owned international luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, adding depth and meaning to the festival’s mission of representation and inclusion.

Beyond screenings, the resort setting allows for immersive networking, panel discussions, workshops, and informal creative exchanges in a relaxed, culturally rich environment.

Honoring Caribbean & Haitian Storytelling

A defining pillar of the festival is its commitment to cultural storytelling. Special curated segments—such as “Haiti: Revolution & Resilience”—will spotlight Haitian history, creativity, and artistic endurance, reinforcing the festival’s dedication to amplifying underrepresented Caribbean voices.

Samaná’s Rising Status in Global Film

The Alma de Samaná International Film Festival enters an already thriving cinematic landscape in the Dominican Republic.

The country continues to attract major productions, having served as a filming location for global blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Fast & Furious 4. Samaná itself has recently gained international recognition through “Film Friendly Samaná,” which earned the Emerging Location Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Additionally, the upcoming Santo Domingo Global Film Festival will return for its 18th edition from January 28 to February 4, 2026, featuring more than 160 films—further solidifying the country’s reputation as a Caribbean film powerhouse.

A New Chapter for Caribbean Cinema

With its community-first vision, audience-powered programming, and deep cultural focus, the Alma de Samaná International Film Festival is more than a new event—it represents a new direction for Caribbean cinema.

As filmmakers, creatives, and audiences converge in Las Terrenas next March, all eyes will be on Samaná to see whether it truly becomes the Caribbean’s next cinematic capital—and all signs suggest it just might.