GI Film Festival Opens Tonight through May 24th at Angelika Film Center
The GI Film Festival (GIFF) is back in town for the ninth year in a row. It runs from May 18-May 24, 2015 with its primary location at the luxurious Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District in Fairfax, Virginia.
What is the GI Film Festival? According to its website, “GIFF is a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to sharing the military experience in and out of the arena of war. The festival is the first in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film.”
During the festival, there are panels with the filmmakers and actors, there is a filmmaking boot camp, receptions after the movie showings, a wounded warrior movie night, and a Casablanca themed party.
The GI Film Festival was co-founded by Laura Law-Millett and Brandon Millett to showcase the military authentically in films. Laura is a West Point graduate and an Army veteran. Laura’s husband Brandon is a skilled public relations executive. Together they used their talents and background to create the GI Film Festival.
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https://vimeo.com/125184186
Schedule:
On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Embassy of Canada
International Film Block
Land of the Sun (CANADA) | Who’s Afraid of the Big Black Wolf (SLOVENIA) | Run (AUSTRALIA) | Unload (UK) | Remembering the Fallen (FRANCE)
8:15 – 10:00 PM
Location: Embassy of Canada
EVENT: RECEPTION
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On Wednesday, May 20, 7:00 – 12:00 AM
Location: Angelika Film Center
SPECIAL EVENT: ONE NIGHT IN CASABLANCA
Journey to Casablanca for a magical evening of French-Moroccan food, libations and film presented as part of the 9th Annual GI Film Festival and Co-hosted by Sips with Socialites. Help preserve the story of veterans to raise money for the GIFF and have a night of fun. Come dressed in your 1940s best.
9:30 – 11:30 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: VETERAN FILMMAKERS
It Happened on Exposition BLVD | They Came from the Ether
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On Thursday, May 21, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
Wounded Warrior Appreciation Night
Special Advance Screening of the film ‘Spy’ with Actress Linda Powell
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On Friday, May 22d at 7:00 pm: Salute to Hollywood Patriots Event at Angelika Film Center at Mosaic.
10:00 – 11:30 AM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FEATURE FILM SCREENING
12:00 – 1:40 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FEATURE FILM SCREENING
2:10 – 5:10 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILMMAKER BOOTCAMP
Finance and distribution workshop, featuring development and production executives from Discovery Communications, the parent company of Discovery Channel, American Heroes Channel, Velocity, and others. Also featuring guests from SAG-AFTRA, the Virginia Film Office and Jon Gann from DC Shorts.
7:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
A SALUTE TO HOLLYWOOD PATRIOTS EVENT & SCREENING
A special Salute to Hollywood Patriots Event and the North American premiere of the BAFTA nominated film ‘Kajaki.”
10:30 – 12:30 AM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FEATURE FILM SCREENING
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On Saturday, May 23 :
10:00 – 12:00 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
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SATURDAY MORNING SHORT BLOCK
Drone | Angels of Anbar | Breaking Through | Just Another Dance with My Father | Rescue Men: The Story of the Pea Island Lifesavers
10:30 – 12:30 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: TRUE GRIT
Refusing to Quit and Embracing Adventure
C.O.B.A.L.T. | Snip | Tedesky | Apalachico | Nomadic Veterans
12:30 – 2:30 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: RESOLUTIONS
Healing the emotional wounds of love and loss.
Home Range | Ostrichland | The Flag | Beautiful Sunset | Until it Hurts
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
* details subject to change *
FILM BLOCK: GREATEST GENERATION
WW2 Films and Heroes
Frank Comes Home | Red Ball Express | Resurrecting War Birds |Cowboys
3:10 – 5:20 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: SURVIVE AND THRIVE
Confronting Veteran Suicide
3:30 – 5:00 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: NOT FORGOTTEN
Vietnam Veterans and MIAs
Never Forgotten | The Haircut | Thank You for Your Service | The MIAs on Tiger Mountain
5:30 – 7:15 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FEATURE FILM SCREENING
8:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
SPECIAL EVENT: ‘BEST OF FEST’ AWARDS SHOW AND FILM SCREENINGS
Join GIFF, the GIs of Comedy and other special Guests as we salute R. Lee Ermey, award winning films and screen some short films.
Climb | Last Viewing | Deeds Not Words | Birthday
10:00 – 12:30 AM
Location: Angelika Film Center
PARTY: ‘BEST OF FEST’ AFTER PARTY
Ready to party and celebrate with the filmmakers of the GI Film Festival? There will be dancing to the cool beats of DJ Rene, cocktails, wine, and beer. Enjoy a variety of beer and wine offerings from Budweiser and Barefoot Wine, and cocktails from Brown-Forman the makers of Jack Daniels and Finlandia Vodka. End the night with a cool swag bag. Don’t miss your chance to get discounted tickets early and attend one of the best parties in town- food, drinks and fun! Prices increase at the door. Space is limited so get your tickets today. 21 and over.
10:30 – 12:30 AM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FEATURE FILM SCREENING
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On Sunday, May 24, 2015
10:30 – 12:30 AM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: DOSE OF REALITY
Confronting Perspective-Shattering Reality Of War
Cold Choices | Soul Stealer | Hollow Victory | As You Were | A Matter of Honor | Soldiers Stories (3D)
10:30 – 12:30 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FEATURE FILM SCREENING
Berga: Soldiers of Another War
12:30 – 2:30 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: AGAINST ALL ODDS
Displaying True Courage While Facing Long Odds
The Unstoppable Billy Greenwood | Last Wishes | Wars Betrayal| Fate’s Call
12:50 – 2:50 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: TRANSFORMATION
How the Experiences of War are Invariably Transformative
Marza | Prisoner | The Next Part | Through the Dust | Day One
3:00 – 5:15 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FEATURE FILM SCREENING
3:30 – 5:20 PM
Location: Angelika Film Center
FILM BLOCK: ALTERNATIVE HEALING
Novel Approaches to Helping Veterans Transition Home