GI Film Festival

The GI Film Group was founded in 2007 by Army veteran Laura Law-Millett and Brandon Millett and established the GI Film Festival (GIFF) with the goal of preserving the stories of American veterans past and present through film, television and live special events. GIFF's flagship festival is held each May during Armed Forces Month in Washington, D.C. from 2007 to 2018.

In 2015, KPBS in San Diego organized the first-ever GI Film Festival San Diego in collaboration with the Millet's and Film Consortium San Diego. Since 2018, San Diego has become the exclusive home for the festival, taking place annually. Festival events have included screenings, panels, Q&As, mixers, and gala awards ceremonies.

The GI Film Group also produced a live event military base tour, a National Cinematic Salute to the Troops showcased in 400 theaters across the country and a Best of GIFF television series on The American Heroes Channel and The Pentagon Channel.^[1]

Venues in the DC area have included the Embassy of Canada, the Anjelika Film Center at Mosaic, the Cannon House Office Building, the Howard Theater, the Carnegie Institution for Science and the US Navy Memorial Theater among others.

Venues in San Diego have included the USS Midway Museum, Balboa Theater, Village Theaters in Coronado, Ultrastar Cinemas and DoubleTree hotel in Mission Valley,^[2] as well as the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.^[3]

Military-related films from other countries are also eligible for submission to the festival.^[4]

History

The inaugural flagship event was held in 2008 over Memorial Day Weekend at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.^[5][6]

The inaugural GI Film Festival San Diego event was held in October 2015 with the British film Kilo Two Bravo as the opening night film.^[7]

Notable events

2007

• General (Ret.) Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hosted a special screening of Forrest Gump.
• Actor Gary Sinise received the G.I. Spirit Award.

2008

• Film screenings were presented by Hollywood actors and directors Gary Sinise, Jon Voight, Robert Duvall, James Franco and others.^[8]
• A congressional reception honoring members of Congress who served in the military.
• Vince and Linda McMahon received the "Corporate Patriot Award" for their philanthropic work on behalf of the American Armed Forces.
• An "Armed Forces Action Fest" featured World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) stars and Buck Rogers star Gil Gerard.
• Panel discussions included "The 100 Greatest War Films of All-Time"; "War Stories", featuring Medal of Honor recipients; and "The Portrayal of GIs in Film and the Media".

2009

• Valkyrie - opening night film^[9]
• Notable attendees: US Senator John McCain,^[10] Kelsey Grammer, Fred Thompson^[11] and Robert Duvall.^[12]

2010

• Notable appearances: Glenn Close, Bob Woodruff and the band Drowning Pool.

2011

• Ironclad - opening night film (Q&A with producer Rick Benattar, and director Jonathan English).
• Notable attendees: Gary Sinise, Lou Diamond Phillips (GI Spirit Award), and William Devane (GI Choice Awards),

2012

• Notable appearances: Ross Perot, Pat Sajak,^[13] Joe Mantegna (GI Spirit Award), Sally Pressman and Brian McNamara (GI Family Award).

2016

• Official Selections: The Finest Hours, Return to Dak To, The Last Man Club
• Featured guests: Gary Sinise, Stephen Lang, J.W. Cortes, Dominic Fumusa.
• Special Screenings: Top Gun, X-Men: Apocalypse.^[14]

2017

• Notable attendees in DC: Judd Nelson^[15]
• On May 17, filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick presented over an hour of preview footage from his latest PBS series The Vietnam War at San Diego's Balboa Theatre. In attendance were several guests who were interview subjects in the film.^[16]
• On October 18, the west coast opening night film was The 2 Sides Project.

2018

• Notable attendees in SD: George Takei, Jeffrey Wright^[17]

2019

• Family Movie Night on the USS Midway^[18]

Award winners

2007

• Feature Narrative: Divergence – (dir. Patrick Donnelly).
• Documentary Short: Shakey's Hill (dir. Norman Lloyd).^[19]
• Best Short Feature: Old Glory – (dir. James McEachin).
• Feature Documentary: Speed & Angels – (dir. Peyton Wilson)
• Founder's Choice: Patriot Act – (dir. Jeff Ross).
• GI Spirit Award: Gary Sinise

2008

• Feature Narrative: Soldier's Heart – Anthony Lover (Executive Producer).
• Documentary Short: Spitfire 944 – (dir. William Lorton).
• Narrative Short: God and Country – (dir. Daniel Piatt).
• Feature Documentary Winner: Brothers at War – (dir. Jake Rademacher)
• Family Film: The Flyboys – (dir. Rocco DeVilliers)
• Founder's Choice: The Last 600 Meters – (dir. Michael Pack).
• American Pride Film: SWIM – by Chantz Hoover.

2009

^[20]

• Feature Documentary - Perfect Valor
• Feature Documentary Runner-Up - Bedford: The Town They Left Behind
• Best Narrative Feature - Everyman's War
• Founder's Choice Award - The Triangle of Death
• 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

2011

• Military Channel Award - Shepherds of Helmand, directed by Gary Mortensen
• Best International Film - The Telegram Man (Australia), by James Francis Khehtie
• Best Student Film - Thule, by Robert Scott Wildes
• Best Narrative Short - A Marine’s Guide to Fishing, by Nicholas Brennan
• Best Documentary Short - Last to Leave, by Pat Clark
• Best Narrative Feature - Flag of My Father, by Rodney Ray
• Best Documentary Feature - Patrol Base Jaker, by David Scantling
• Founder's Choice Award - The Wereth Eleven, by Robert Child

2012

• Best Documentary Feature - Lost Airmen of Buchenwald (dir. Mike Dorsey)
• Best Documentary Short - Survive. Recover. Live (dir. Ivan Kander)
• Best International Film - Bridges: A Living Graphic Novel (dir. Miguel Pate)
• Best Narrative Feature - Memorial Day (dir. Sam Fischer)
• Best Narrative Short - 8:46 (dir. Jennifer Gargano)
• Best Short Short - The Jockstrap Raiders (dir. Mark Nelson)
• Best Student Film - Stateside (dir. Jacob J. Tanenbaum)
• Founder's Choice Award - (dir. Stephanie Argy and Alec Boehm)
• The Military Channel Award - The Borinqueneers (dir. Noemi Figueroa Soulet)

2013

• Best Short Short - Fallout, (dir. Peter Carruthers)
• Best Student Film - Choice, (dir. Michael Chan)
• Best International Film - Gefallen, (dir. Christoph Schuler)
• Best Narrative Short - The Fifth Horseman, (dir. Kari Barber (VFX Reel)
• Best Documentary Short - The Real Inglorious Bastards, (dir. Min Sook Lee)
• Best Documentary Feature - Honor Flight, (dir. Dan Hayes)
• Founder's Choice - 16 Photographs at Ohrdruf, (dir. Matthew Nash)

2014

• Best Short Short - The Knee Deep Sailor (dir. Tyler Elliot)
• Best Student Film - Kingdom Coming (dir. Alex Fofonoff)
• Best International Film - Last Call (dir. Camille Delamarre)
• Best Dramatic Feature - Field of Lost Shoes (dir. Sean McNamara)
• Best Narrative Feature - Fort Bliss (dir. Claudia Myers)
• Best Narrative Short - Present Trauma (dir. Mark D. Manalo)
• Best Documentary Short - Travis: A Soldier’s Story (dir. Jonathon Link)
• Best Documentary Feature - Rickover (dir. Michael Pack)
• Founder's Choice - Riding My Way Back (dir. Robin Fryday and Peter Rosenbaum)
• American Heroes Channel Award - Forgotten Flag Raisers (dir. Dustin Spence)
• Best Original Screenplay - Christmas Leave written by David Brock
• Best Music Video - Nothing Real (dir. Reed Simonsen)

2015

^[21]

• Veteran Filmmaker Award (Short) - Day One (dir. Henry Hughes)
• Veteran Filmmaker Award (Feature) - Haebangchon (dir. James William III)
• Best Student Film - Drone (dir. Justin S. Lee)
• Best International Film - Who’s Afraid of the Big Black Wolf (dir. Janez Lapajne)
• Best Short-Short - Beautiful Sunset (dir. Karen Weza)
• Best Documentary Short - The Next Part and Climb (dir. Erin Sanger and Ivan Kander)
• Best Narrative Short - Birthday (dir. Chris King)
• Best Documentary Feature - The Millionaire’s Unit (dir. Darroch Greer and Ron King)
• Best Action Feature - War Pigs (dir. Ryan Little)
• Best Narrative Feature - Kajaki (dir. Paul Katis)
• American Heroes Channel Award Winner - The MIAs on Tiger Mountain (dir. Norman Lloyd)
• Best Screenplay - Text Messages to God written by David Bryant Perkins)
• Founder's Choice Award - Nomadic Veterans and Battle Scars (dir. Matthew R Sanders and Danny Buday)

2018

^[22]

2019

San Diego:^[23]

• Best Actor: Frankie Muniz (The Black String)
• Best Actress: Scottie Thompson (#3 Normandy Lane)
• Best Narrative Short: #3 Normandy Lane (dir. Brenda Strong)
• Best Documentary Feature: The Donut Dollies (dir. Norm Anderson)
• Best Documentary Short: Remains (dir. Joe Day and Jose Rodriguez)
• Best Student Film: A Rodeo Film (dir. Darius Dawson)
• Best First Time Filmmaker: Brenda Strong (#3 Normandy Lane)
• Best International Film: Entrenched (dir. Joseph Chebatte)
• Best Film Made By or Starring Veterans or Military: War Paint (dir. J.C. Doler and Taylor Bracewell)
• Founder's Choice Award: Homemade (dir. Jason Maris and Danielle Bernstein)

2022

San Diego:^[24]

Museum of Photographic Arts

• Best Documentary Short: Veterans Journey Home: On Black Mountain (dir. Frederick Marx)
• Best Narrative Short: American Hero (dir. Manny McCord)
• Best Local Narrative Short: My Happy Place (dir. Devin Scott)
• Best Student Film: BRAKE (dir. Aja Weary and Amanda Richardson)
• Best Actor: Evan Hall, Shell Shocked (dir. Paula Cajiao)
• Best Actress: Jomarla Melancon, Blood and Glory (dir. Satinder Kaur)
• Best Narrative Directed by Military or Veterans: THAT NIGHT (dir. Samuel Gonzalez Jr.)
• Best Narrative Starring Military or Veterans: Landing Home (dir. Douglas Taurel)
• Best Documentary Made by Military or Veterans: Walk With Frank
• Best Documentary Feature: Dear Sirs - (dir. by Mark Pedri)
• Local Choice Award: We All Die Alone (dir. Jonathan Hammond)
• Founders’ Choice Award: HERE. IS. BETTER. (dir. Jack Youngelson)
• Best First-Time Director: Ryan Mayers and Matt Mayers, Walk With Frank

References

1. "The G.I. Film Festival". The Hill. 13 May 2008.
2. KPBS. "Inaugural GI Film Festival San Diego Announces Event Schedule". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
3. KPBS. "Inaugural GI Film Festival San Diego Announces Event Schedule". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
4. "Canadian soldier leaves family a secret video farewell". thespec.com. 13 May 2012.
5. "Defense.gov News Article: America Supports You: Actor Gary Sinise Receives 'G.I. Spirit Award'". archive.defense.gov. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
6. Perks, Ashley (2008-05-13). "The G.I. Film Festival". The Hill. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
7. KPBS. "Inaugural GI Film Festival San Diego Announces Event Schedule". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
8. GI Film Festival (14 April 2008). "Hollywood Stars to Celebrate American GIs at the 2nd Annual GI Film... -- re> ARLINGTON, Va., April 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --". prnewswire.com.
9. "Defense.gov News Article: GI Film Festival Puts Military in Focus". archive.defense.gov. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
10. "How Soldiers are Memorialized in Popular Culture | To the Point". KCRW. 25 May 2009. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
11. "Upcoming GI film festival highlights famous Guard unit". National Guard. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
12. "GI Film Festival 2011 Flyer" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-12-20.
13. Schwab, Nikki. "Ross Perot being honored at the GI Film Festival". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
14. "GI Film Festival - Reel Stories! Real Heroes!".
15. "Judd Nelson advocates for veterans at GI Film Festival". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
16. Wilkens, John. "Filmmaker Ken Burns aims for healing with new documentary about Vietnam War". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
17. Cavanaugh, Brooke Ruth, Maureen (25 September 2018). "National GI Film Festival Kicks Off In San Diego Tuesday". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2019-10-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
18. "GI Film Festival San Diego's Family Movie Night to Feature Marvel Studios' Smash Hit 'Captain Marvel'". 2019 GI Film Festival San Diego. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
19. "G.I. Film Festival Announces 2007 Winner | Archives | Veterans Today". www.veteranstodayarchives.com. 17 June 2007. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
20. "Best of Festival Winners". GI Film Festival - Reel Stories! Real Heroes!.
21. "And That's a Wrap! Thank You For Joining Us for The 2015 GI Film Festival". GI Film Festival 2015.
22. "GI Film Festival San Diego 2018 Winners Announced │ U.S. Veterans Magazine". US Veterans and Military Magazine | A US Veterans News Resource. 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
23. "GI Film Festival San Diego 2019 Award Winners". 2019 GI Film Festival San Diego. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
24. "Filmmakers and actors take home coveted awards at GI Film Festival San Diego". cbs8.com. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-05-27.

External links

• GI Film Festival Official Website
• GI Film Festival San Diego
• GI Film Group Archived 2018-01-16 at the Wayback Machine