Dominican Film Industry Saw Record Growth in 2025, DGCINE Reports

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — The Dominican Republic's film industry experienced significant growth in 2025, achieving record employment, investment, and audience numbers, according to a new report from the General Directorate of Cinema (DGCINE).

The sector solidified its position as a key economic driver, generating thousands of jobs and substantial tax revenue while expanding its international presence and captivating a larger domestic audience.

DGCINE validated 103 audiovisual projects throughout the year, which directly created 2,206 jobs. These productions also accounted for more than 21,000 hotel nights and contributed over 297 million Dominican pesos (approximately $5 million USD) in combined income tax and ITBIS (Value Added Tax) revenue.

"These results confirm that Dominican cinema is no longer a promise, but an industry that generates jobs, boosts the economy, and connects more and more with its audience," stated Marianna Vargas Gurilieva, DGCINE's general director.

On the international stage, Dominican films celebrated nine world premieres at prestigious festivals. Locally, audience engagement surged by 18.7% compared to the average of the previous five years, indicating a growing preference for national productions.

The FONPROCINE Public Competition's Minor Co-production support line, now in its second year, demonstrated increasing sector interest. It received six applications for projects developed in collaboration with filmmakers from Spain, Chile, Uruguay, Honduras, Peru, and Brazil.

This initiative reinforces FONPROCINE's role in promoting the internationalization of Dominican cinema, fostering integration into regional and global co-production networks, and strengthening the country's footprint in the worldwide audiovisual ecosystem.

In terms of training and workforce development, DGCINE's programs benefited 2,387 individuals. Among them, 22 participated in mentorships and residencies linked to the FONPROCINE Public Competition. Additionally, the "Mi Primer Empleo" (My First Job) program facilitated internships for 94 individuals, placing them across 39 audiovisual projects, thereby integrating new talent into the industry's labor market.

These achievements were supported by institutional advancements aimed at promoting equity, ensuring sector sustainability, and incorporating new talent. The Dominican Republic also strengthened its presence at international audiovisual markets, forums, and strategic industry events.

DGCINE affirmed its commitment to fostering a robust, inclusive, and sustainable film industry that continues to contribute to the cultural, economic, and creative development of the Dominican Republic.