The Institute of Dominicans Abroad (INDEX) has officially kicked off the fifth iteration of its beloved “Footprints of My Quisqueya” short film competition, opening a call for creatives across the global Dominican diaspora to share their unique perspectives and audiovisual work with the world. This long-running initiative is designed specifically to give Dominicans and their descendants living outside the Dominican Republic a dedicated platform to craft and showcase narratives that honor their relationship to their ancestral home. More than just a creative contest, it works to foster ongoing connection between diaspora communities and the cultural roots of the Dominican Republic, inviting creators to explore themes of identity, inherited tradition, lived experience abroad, and the enduring bonds that tie diaspora communities back to Quisqueya.
Eligibility requirements are clearly defined for interested participants to streamline entry. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older, hold legal immigration status in their current country of residence, have resided outside the Dominican Republic for a minimum of one full year, and identify as either a Dominican citizen or a descendant of Dominican people. To accommodate a wide range of experience levels, the competition is split into two distinct tracks: one for amateur creators and one for professional independent filmmakers, allowing emerging and established talent alike to participate.
Creators hoping to take part have an extended window to prepare and submit their work: all registration forms and required supporting materials must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. local Dominican Republic time on November 9, 2026. Full official rules, eligibility details, and step-by-step registration instructions are posted exclusively on INDEX’s official website, listed under the dedicated “Footprints of My Quisqueya” competition page.
This year’s edition is backed by a strong coalition of domestic Dominican institutional and private partners. Leading national bank Banco BHD serves as the competition’s primary sponsor, with additional strategic support from the General Directorate of Cinema (DGCINE), the largest regional theater chain Caribbean Cinemas, and a panel of contributing representatives from across the Dominican domestic film industry. Drawing on the success of previous competitions, which drew international entries from diaspora communities across the globe, the fifth edition continues the initiative’s core mission: strengthening cross-border cultural ties between the Dominican Republic and its far-flung global diaspora through the power of visual storytelling.