Santo Domingo Book Fair 2026 Expands Cinema Program

The XXVIII Santo Domingo International Book Fair (FILSD 2026) is bringing cinema into its cultural program alongside books, music and visual arts, with screenings scheduled at the Cinemateca Dominicana throughout the fair. The program runs from September 24 through October 4 at the Plaza de la Cultura Juan Pablo Duarte in Santo Domingo.

The film lineup brings together Dominican and Panamanian productions, emerging filmmakers, documentaries, retrospectives and activities designed for different audiences. Panama is the fair’s guest of honor this year, while Dominican cinema is represented through feature films, student productions and independent work.

Dominican Films and Emerging Filmmakers

The opening days included “Books and Drinks,” starring Nashla Bogart, and “Lo que se hereda,” presented as part of the “Desde el Archivo” segment. The schedule continues with “Voces Emergentes,” a selection of short films made by students from INTEC and Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra.

Other Dominican titles scheduled during the fair include “Reinbou,” “Mis 500 locos” and “Sueños dorados.” Student productions from APEC, Chavón, UASD and UNIBE are also part of the broader program, alongside screenings featuring independent filmmakers.

The program combines screenings with discussions in several cases. “Mortadelo y Filemón” will be accompanied by a cine-forum, while “Mis 500 locos” forms part of “Cine Contexto: guiones premiados.” “Sueños dorados” is also scheduled with a cine-forum on October 3.

Panamanian Cinema Takes Center Stage

The Panama-focused cycle begins September 28 with “Algo azul” and “Caja rápida.” The latter will be followed by a cine-forum featuring its director, producer and actor, giving audiences an opportunity to discuss the production directly with members of its creative team.

The Panamanian selection continues with “Los nietos del jazz” on September 30, “Me dicen el Panzer” on October 1 and the documentary “Una noche de Calypso” on October 2. The cycle continues with “Brown” on October 3 before closing with “El Brujo: Julio Zachrisson” on October 4.

The inclusion of a dedicated Panamanian film cycle adds a regional dimension to the fair’s cultural programming, connecting audiences in Santo Domingo with cinema from the Caribbean and Central American region.

Family Screenings and Cinemateca Sobre Ruedas

Family audiences are also included in the schedule. “Unbroken: la historia no contada de Shen Yun” is listed in the family cinema section, while “Capitán Avispa” will be screened on September 27 at 7 p.m. as part of Cinemateca Sobre Ruedas in the garden.

On October 3, “Wifredo, el legado de un genio del lente” will also be presented through the Cinemateca Sobre Ruedas family program. The format extends the film offering beyond conventional theater screenings and adds an outdoor component to the fair’s cultural activities.

Exhibitions and Guided Visits

The audiovisual program extends beyond film screenings. An exhibition dedicated to Óscar Torres is available in the Cinemateca gallery during the fair, while guided visits to the Mediateca offer another way for visitors to explore the institution’s audiovisual resources.

With more than 750 activities, more than 70 international writers, 32 international publishers, 21 Dominican publishers and 44 Dominican bookstores, FILSD 2026 places cinema within a broader cultural program. The fair’s focus on José Mármol, a Dominican poet and essayist, and Panama’s role as guest of honor frame the event as a meeting point for literary and other artistic disciplines.

The cinema schedule continues through October 4, with screenings and related activities distributed across the remaining days of the fair. Visitors can check the official FILSD program and the Ministry of Culture’s social media channels for the latest screening times and schedule updates.