GI Film Festival
Encyclopedia
The GI Film Festival was founded in 2006 by husband and wife team Brandon L. Millett and Major Laura Law in response to the lack of quality films portraying American service members. It is the first film festival of its kind and is held each May during Memorial Day
in Washington, D.C.
The mission of the GI Film Festival is "to honor the American men and women in uniform and the world wide struggle for freedom and democracy." The GI Film Festival is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
The five day event brings together luminaries from Hollywood, Congress and the Military. The Festival's program line-up offers moviegoers a wide variety of independent films including documentaries, narrative features, and shorts, as well as a program of panel discussions.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The mission of the GI Film Festival is "to honor the American men and women in uniform and the world wide struggle for freedom and democracy." The GI Film Festival is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
The five day event brings together luminaries from Hollywood, Congress and the Military. The Festival's program line-up offers moviegoers a wide variety of independent films including documentaries, narrative features, and shorts, as well as a program of panel discussions.
2009
- The third festival was attended by several luminaries including US SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
John McCainJohn McCainJohn Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
and his "good friend" Kelsey GrammerKelsey GrammerAllen Kelsey Grammer is an American actor and comedian. He is most widely known for his two-decade portrayal of psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane on the sitcoms Cheers and Frasier...
.
2008
- Film screenings presented by award-winning Hollywood actors/directors, including Gary SiniseGary SiniseGary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
, Jon VoightJon VoightJonathan Vincent "Jon" Voight is an American actor. He has received an Academy Award, out of four nominations, and three Golden Globe Awards, out of nine nominations. Voight is the father of actress Angelina Jolie....
, Robert DuvallRobert DuvallRobert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has won an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA over the course of his career....
, James FrancoJames FrancoJames Edward Franco is an American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author, painter, performance artist and instructor at New York University. He left college in order to pursue acting and started off his career by making guest appearances on television series in the 1990s...
, Ron Maxwell, Lou RedaLou RedaLou Reda is filmmaker, specializing in television documentaries, who has produced some 400 productions, as chairman of Lou Reda Productions, based in Easton, Pennsylvania. Reda's production company has been called "the largest producer of programs for the A&E and History Channel cable operations",...
, and Terry SandersTerry SandersTerry Sanders is an American filmmaker having produced and/or directed more than 70 dramatic features, televisions specials, documentaries and portrait films. He co-heads the American Film Foundation and has produced and photographed the Oscar-winning dramatic short "A Time Out of War"...
. - 22 military film premiers featuring the work of promising new filmmakers.
- A congressional reception honoring members of Congress who served in the military.
- The presentation of the “Corporate Patriot Award,” to World Wrestling Entertainment and Vince and Linda McMahon for their philanthropic work on behalf of the American Armed Forces.
- An Armed Forces Action Fest at Bolling Air Force BaseBolling Air Force BaseJoint Base Anacostia-Bolling is a military installation, located in Southeast Washington, D.C., established on 1 October 2010 in accordance with congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission...
featuring World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE) stars and former Buck RogersBuck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979–1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film several months before the series aired....
television actor Gil GerardGil GerardGilbert C. "Gil" Gerard is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Captain William "Buck" Rogers in the 1979-1981 television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.-Early life:...
. - Panel discussions, including The 100 Greatest War Films of All-Time, War Stories, featuring Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipients, and The Portrayal of GIs in Film and the Media.
2007
- Inauguration of the GI Film Festival.
- General (Ret.) Richard Meyers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffJoint Chiefs of StaffThe Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
, hosted a special screening of Forrest GumpForrest GumpForrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
.
2009
http://www.gifilmfestival.com/winners09- Feature Documentary - Perfect Valor
- Feature Documentary Runner-Up - Bedford: The Town They Left Behind
- Best Narrative Feature - Everyman's WarEveryman's WarEveryman's War is an independent narrative feature war film directed by Thad Smith. It was released on DVD in the U.S. on May 18, 2010 by Virgil Films & Entertainment and in 43 countries internationally by Koan Entertainment. Additionally it was released in Spain by Paramount Pictures in May of...
- Founder's Choice Award - The Triangle of DeathThe Triangle of Death (documentary)The Triangle of Death, directed by Folleh Shar Francis Tamba, is one of the very first cinema virtue documentary of the war in Iraq. The film documented the first Iraqi election in 2005 after the fall of Saddam Hussein by an infantry rifleman on his first tour of duty as a combat troop...
- Best Documentary Short - A Touch of Home
- Best Narrative Short - Witt's Daughter
- Best Student Film - Kapisa
- Best First Time Filmmaker - The Inheritance of War
- Best Military Family Film - Lioness
- Best Short Film - Looking Back
2008
- Feature Narrative, Soldier's Heart: Vietnam veteran Elliot has held it together until now, but he is forced to redesign his blueprint for living. Old feelings about his experience as a soldier in the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
re-appear affecting and concerning his wife Linda, his parents and fellow veteran Richie. Certain truths of Elliot's war experience emerge with heart and humor to provide a deeper understanding of his father (a World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
vet) - forge a new path in his marriage to Linda and realize his bond with Richie. The film's production team included Anthony Lover (Executive Producer). - Documentary Short, Spitfire 944Spitfire 944Spitfire 944 is a short documentary in which an 83-year-old World War II pilot views 16mm footage of his 1944 Spitfire crash-landing for the first time, sixty-one years after the event.- Behind the scenes :...
: An 83-year old World War II pilot views 16mm footage of his 1944 Spitfire crash for the first time. The film's production team included William Lorton (Producer/ Director) and Jason Savage (Producer). - Narrative Short, God and Country: Spring, 1942. The world is at war. Hitler has swept unchecked across the European landscape and pounds at the doors of Great Britain. The United States learns of a plot by the Germans to break the stalemate with Great Britain using a diabolical new chemical weapon. With time against them a team of three Americans are asked to put their lives on the line and make the ultimate sacrifice...for God and Country. The film's production team included Daniel Piatt (Director/Executive Producer), Leslie Sewell (Associate Producer) and Macario Hernandez (Associate Producer/Assistant Director).
- Feature Documentary Winner, Brothers at WarBrothers at WarBrothers at War is a 2009 documentary film directed by Jake Rademacher and produced by Rademacher and Norman S. Powell. The film follows several soldiers in the Iraq War. The film's executive producers are actor, director, and Presidential Citizens Medal holder Gary Sinise and Secretary of Defense...
: Jake RademacherJake RademacherJake Rademacher is the director/producer of Brothers at War, the award winning documentary about an American military family and the Iraq war...
--with a desire to learn the truth, journeys to Mosul, Iraq and embeds with his brother Captain Isaac RademacherIsaac RademacherIsaac Rademacher is a United States Army Major and a 2000 Graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York....
’s Long Range Surveillance Company. While documenting their covert mission on the Syrian Border, he learns first hand about the grueling nature of soldiering, and the familiar bonds that develop between them. Brothers at WarBrothers at WarBrothers at War is a 2009 documentary film directed by Jake Rademacher and produced by Rademacher and Norman S. Powell. The film follows several soldiers in the Iraq War. The film's executive producers are actor, director, and Presidential Citizens Medal holder Gary Sinise and Secretary of Defense...
gives both an up close and personal view of our soldiers, and a deeply personal view of a family divided, but ultimately, profoundly bonded by the crucible of war. The film's production team included Jake RademacherJake RademacherJake Rademacher is the director/producer of Brothers at War, the award winning documentary about an American military family and the Iraq war...
(Director/Producer), Norman S. Powell (Producer), Gary SiniseGary SiniseGary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
(Executive Producer) and David ScantlingDavid ScantlingDavid Scantling has led start-up technology teams at Uprizer, Econex, Grey Haven and Storage Continuity. As a senior executive at IBM, Hewlett-Packard and the US Department of Defense, he worked on major business transformation, Internet and telecommunications initiatives...
(Executive Producer). With an original score by Lee HoldridgeLee HoldridgeLee Holdridge is a Haitian-born American television composer and orchestrator.-Biography:He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, of a Puerto-Rican mother and an American father, the botanist an climatologist Leslie Holdridge...
and an original song--"Brothers in Arms"--by John Ondrasik. - Family Film, The Flyboys: Jason (Jesse JamesJesse James (actor)Jesse James is an American actor.-Life and career:James was born in Palm Springs, California, the son of Jaime, a laboratory technician, and Shane James, an actor....
) and Kyle (Reiley McClendonReiley McClendonReiley McClendon is an American actor.-Personal life:McClendon was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. McClendon attended Grace Brethren High School, and graduated with the class of 2007, since he skipped 5th grade...
), recent friends from different sides of the tracks, become embroiled in the adventure of their lives when they discover a mysterious airplane at the local small-town airport. The boys sneak aboard the plane for a look, but are forced to hide in the luggage compartment when two strange men show up. Soon Jason and Kyle unexpectedly find themselves airborne over the open Arizona desert. After hours in the air, the boys unwittingly uncover a bomb in the luggage compartment. When they burst into the cabin to report their discovery, they find that everyone on board has bailed out. The boys must take the controls and land the plane themselves. But their troubles are only beginning as Jason and Kyle realize that they've foiled a heist to steal millions of dollars from the mob in this high-action, coming-of-age film. The film's production team included Rocco DeVilliers (Director) and Dan Urness (Producer). - Founder's Choice, The Last 600 Meters: The two deadliest battles of the Iraq War occurred in 2004. The Battle of NajafNajafNajaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
was fought in the South against the Shiite Mahdi militia. The Battle of Falluja was fought in the West against Sunni insurgents. These brutal urban conflicts were not the high-tech battles the military had prepared for after the first Gulf WarGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
in 1991—but they are the face of modern warfare. This film tells the story of these battles, not through narration, but through the words and deeds of those who fought there. The film's production team included Michael Pack (Producer/Director), Gina Pack (Executive Producer) and Leslie Sewell (Coordinating Producer). - American Pride Film, SWIM: As a Pararescueman in Iraq, David Broyles's job was to save lives and help those in need, and after leaving the military in 2005, he wanted to continue that mission. He soon found Salute America's Heroes, a charity that provides assistance to severely wounded and disabled veterans. To raise funds and awareness for their needs through this charity, he wanted a tough challenge in their honor. David soon discovered that fewer Americans had swum across the Strait of Gibraltar than had reached the top of Mount Everest. The film's production team included Chantz Hoover (Co-Director/Co-Producer), Gina Pack (Executive Producer) and Matt Cook (Executive Producer).
2007
- Feature Narrative, Divergence: A tale told through the microcosm of two wounded people coming together and grappling with the ramifications of war and loss. The film's production team included Patrick Donnelly (Writer/Director) and Meg Sudlik (Producer).
- Documentary Short, Shakey's Hill: In 1970, one cameraman followed a battalion of American soldiers into the jungles of CambodiaCambodiaCambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. The mission was to seek out substantial weapons/supplies caches being used by the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. As the battalion closed in on the location of the caches, they encountered a growing resistance from the North Vietnamese forces. The film's production team included Norman Lloyd (Director). - Best Short Feature, Old Glory: A 22-minute film short for the soldier, veteran and patriot in us all. James McEachin customarily salutes America with another dose of extraordinary patriotism in his directorial debut. The film's production team included James McEachin (Director/Actor).
- Feature Documentary, Speed & Angels: In 2003, Director Peyton Wilson entered the world of U.S. Navy fighter pilots. Thanks to unprecedented access granted by the Navy, Peyton captured and created the most intimate film ever made on fighter pilots. Epic High Definition aerial footage and stunning cockpit photography provide a dramatic backdrop for the larger story of fighting for your dreams. The film's production team included Peyton Wilson (Director) and F.A. Chierici (Producer).
- Founder's Choice, Patriot Act: Inspired by the passing of USOUnited Service OrganizationsThe United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
perennial Bob HopeBob HopeBob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
, Friars Club roast-master Jeff Ross takes actor/comedian Drew CareyDrew CareyDrew Allison Carey is an American actor, singer, comedian, photographer, sports executive, and game show host. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and making a name for himself in stand-up comedy, Carey eventually gained popularity starring on his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, and serving as...
up on an invitation to join the USOUnited Service OrganizationsThe United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
in their ongoing mission - delivering punch-lines on the front lines. The film's production team included Jeff Ross (Director). - GI Spirit Award, Gary SiniseGary SiniseGary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
: Recipient of the 2007 GI Film Festival GI Spirit Award. Gary SiniseGary SiniseGary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
is an accomplished film, theater and television actor, as well as a director and producer. In addition to his success in the entertainment field, Gary Sinise also uses his considerable talents to support troops stationed overseas. Along with his Lt. Dan Band (named for his character from Forrest GumpForrest GumpForrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
), Sinise has embarked on numerous USO/Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) tours. He has also traveled to both Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and the National Navy Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, to visit troops wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
External links
- GI Film Festival Official Website
- GI Film Festival on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...