Female Army Soldier becomes a Hollywood writer

Tickets for GI Film Festival:

https://gifilmfestival.com/tickets/

Guest Blogger: Barbara Autin

The G.I. Film Festival (GIFF), the premiere festival showcasing films focused on the military experience, is gearing up for another successful run. This year, over fifty films will be screened from May 24-28 in Washington DC. 

The tales span from World War Two era stories to the current stories of soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The G.I. Film Festival was started in 2006 in order to change the prevalent, one-dimensional depictions of service members in the media. The success of the films has resulted in the festival’s unofficial nickname as the “Sundance for the Troops.” With most Americans lacking first hand knowledge of military service, the G.I. Film Festival is a great platform for military members to communicate our stories about our service to the civilian community. 

In doing this, the GIFF has created a reputation of screening some of the best military films produced today, as well as creating a thriving community of veterans and filmmakers.

A perception still exists that the military and the entertainment industry are worlds apart, and the G.I. Film Festival is helping to change that by connecting the two groups. Veterans who are interested in getting involved in the entertainment industry now have the opportunity to get to know other veterans who’ve already gained experience in film making by attending events throughout the festival. 

Taking time for military service can put you behind your peers in the entertainment industry, but it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker if you’re willing to work hard and make the right connections.

The projects screened at GIFF are all real stories, and film students, veterans- in fact, anyone who enjoys military stories should attend if they’re in the DC area. GIFF truly is the premiere platform for military stories to be brought to a mainstream audience. 

Not only can you meet filmmakers and veterans, but you can gain a lot of insight in what veterans go through, and get connected to additional veteran oriented organizations through GIFF, like the Veterans in Film and Television, which help hardworking veterans get connected with opportunities in the film industry.

Hope to see you there!

Guest Blogger: Barbara Autin

Barbara Autin served as an engineer in the Army for eight years before pursuing her dream of writing. Her first short movie, Drawing Tinkerbell, will premiere on the LACMA website in April. She was a military consultant on Mary Jane Wells' play "Heroine" and is currently working on two military themed scripts.

GI Film Festival Tickets:

https://gifilmfestival.com/tickets/

Military Times article:

http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/gi-film-festival-2017-schedule-of-events

Blog Posted by:

Fulton Film Company

Fresno, California

https://fultonfilmcompany.com/

El GI Film Festival es de gran importancia para veteranos

Tickets for GI Film Festival:

https://gifilmfestival.com/tickets/

Durante muchos años hemos visto cómo la prensa y los medios retrataron una imagen negativa de los veteranos. Nuestras historias de veteranos han sido contadas y reportadas por individuos que no tienen ni idea de lo que es ser militar, o lo que es la vida como un veterano. 

La persona mejor calificada para contar una historia de veteranos es un compañero veterano. Ese es el propósito del GI Film Festival. 

El GI Film Festival es de gran importancia para veteranos cineastas, y aquellos que quieren contar nuestra historia. Alienta y ayuda a que nuestros veteranos a que cuenten sus historias y presenten sus proyectos al público. También permite que el contenido adecuado sea compartido y que la historia sea compartida con la mayor precisión.

Siendo un veterano puertorriqueño del Ejército de los Estados Unidos, creo que sería una gran plataforma para compartir la historia de nuestros veteranos boricuas. Tenemos una gran historia en el ejército estadounidense, y en todos los grandes conflictos. 

Nuestros veteranos de la isla han estado entre los mejores de los mejores, pero nunca se ven ni escuchan sus historias. Tenemos una rica historia aquí en la isla, y creo que el GIFF, es una gran oportunidad para que algunas de estas historias sean contadas. 

Como veterano puertorriqueño encuentro que nuestras experiencias, nuestros logros, nuestras historias no reciben suficiente atención. A veces se siente como si tal vez nuestras historias y experiencias no son tan importantes, pero tal vez si podemos compartir esas historias, el público podría comenzar a entender mejor, o mirarnos con una mejor perspectiva. 

Es tan importante para nosotros estar dispuestos a contar nuestra historia como también lo es que alguien la de a conocer, a través de este evento creo que podemos hacer ambas cosas.

Me parece muy importante que nuestros veteranos cuenten sus historias y los exhortó a hacerlo. También exhortó a todos los cineastas, escritores, productores y todos los medios de comunicación a que vengan a escuchar nuestras historias, y lo que tenemos para ofrecer. El GI Film Festival podría ser el lugar perfecto y la oportunidad perfecta para esto.

Guest Blogger: Ivan Lebron

U.S. Army Veterano

GI Film Festival Tickets:

https://gifilmfestival.com/tickets/

Military Times article:

http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/gi-film-festival-2017-schedule-of-events

Veteranos Del Cine Y Entretenimiento:

https://www.facebook.com/VETERANOSDELCINEYENTRETENIMIENTO/

Blog by:

Fulton Film Company

Fresno, California

ELEVENTH ANNUAL “SUNDANCE FOR THE TROOPS” RUNS MAY 24th – 28th

MEDIA CONTACT: Pete Couste

THE GI FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA

ELEVENTH ANNUAL “SUNDANCE FOR THE TROOPS” RUNS MAY 24^th – 28^th 

The Nation’s Only Military Film Festival Announces Official Film Selections for 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 27, 2017) – The GI Film Festival (GIFF), the nation’s premiere entertainment enterprise exclusively dedicated to presenting the veteran experience through film, television and special events, today announced its official film selections for the 11th annual event, running May 24 – 28, 2017 in Washington, D.C. This year’s five-day program boasts a dynamic lineup of 50-plus films, including narrative and documentary films: https://gifilmfestival.com/featured-films-2017/.

“The quality, depth and diversity of this year’s GI Film Festival film line-up is staggering,” says GI Film Festival Chairman and Co-Founder Brandon Millett.  “We have packed this year’s fest schedule with films of every genre, from action films to historical documentaries, animated comedies to dramas, thrillers to sci-fi films. Start to finish this is the best group of films we’ve ever showcased.”

Hailed by Bloomberg News as “Sundance for the Troops,” the GI Film Festival’s mission is to preserve the stories of military veterans through film, television and dynamic live special events. Since 2007, the GIFF has spearheaded the lead-up to Memorial Day in our nation’s capital by offering the country’s most expansive view of military themes on film. Including, for the first time this year, a Cinematic Salute to the Troops on Saturday night, May 27^th, which will feature short films, music, celebrity awards and more.

“Every year a theme organically emerges from our film content,” noted GI Film Festival President and Co-Founder Laura Law-Millett (U.S. Army Veteran). “What's emerged from this year's festival films is an overarching theme of the courage to overcome. Whether its overcoming paralysis from IEDs, barriers for our women warriors, post traumatic stress with animal therapy, or the pain of losing a loved one in battle, these films capture very real challenges faced by active military and their spirit to prevail."

In addition to its film line-up, GIFF will offer a “Pitch Fest” where filmmakers will present their best film and television ideas to industry professionals, a congressional reception, embassy soiree, live music, stand-up comedy, star-studded red carpets, and awards ceremonies, all honoring and lending a voice to the veteran community.  Additional schedule details forthcoming. See www.gifilmfestival.com for updates.

Ticket prices range from $15 for a matinee screening with filmmaker Q&A to $350 for a festival “all access” pass providing access to select official GIFF screenings and special events. A limited supply of GIFF “all access” passes are available now. Single event tickets go on sale Monday, April 10, 2017.

About GI Film Festival

GIFF, a 501c3 non-profit organization, described as “Sundance for the Troops,” preserves the stories of veterans through film, television, training and special events. GI Film Festival events provide an exceptionally diverse line-up of programming, covering all branches of service, every major conflict, and every major film genre while addressing a variety of issues of concern to the veteran community, including post-traumatic stress, homelessness, and unemployment.  For more information, visit: www.gifilmfestival.com. “The GI Film Festival has become the ‘go-to’ place for military-themed movies. Anyone and everyone with a military-themed film will end up at the GI Film Festival, or at least trying to get in." – Actor Gary Sinise

2017 GIFF XI sponsors include:  American Airlines, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, USAA, The Gary Sinise Foundation, Got Your 6, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Military Times, Stars and Stripes, and WMAL-FM.

Hasty Assault by Military Veterans in Washington, D.C.

For Immediate Release

Press Contact: George Ohan, Fulton Film Company

Film Festival: GI Film Festival (GIFF), 2017

Phone: 559-451-1370

Email: FultonFilmCompany@gmail.com

Website: www.gifilmfestival.com

“Hasty Assault by Military Veterans in Washington, D.C.”

3/27/17 – Washington, D.C.

Military veterans, their families and the civilians who support them connect with the local community by participating in a multi-media, interactive, film festival in Washington D.C., May 24 – May 28, 2017.   This event is designed to encourage meaningful dialogue between civilians and veterans through the use of cinema.   

GIFF features original films, music, celebrity awards, and more.  This is a great way for veterans to build community relations, connect with civilians, and understand the resources that are available for them. 

 “The GI Film Festival has become the ‘go-to’ place for military-themed movies. Anyone and everyone with a military-themed film will end up at the GI Film Festival, or at least trying to get in." – Actor Gary Sinise

Fulton Film Company

When it comes to subjects that matter Fulton Film Company chooses to create meaningful content.  Producer, George Ohan has over 10 years of experience in event management and he expects nothing but excellence.

For more details and information about “GI Film Festival” please feel free to contact us at www.gifilmfestival.com.  The filmmakers are available for interview and appearances – contact George Ohan – 

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Soldier's daughter, filmmaker who supports the GI Film Festival

https://gifilmfestival.com/tickets/

THE G.I. FILM FESTIVAL 2017 - BLOG POST

Guest Blogger: Ana Quinata
           Contact: quin@anaquinata.com
            Follow: Twitter/IG: @anaquinata

            Since the first days of cinema, commercial productions and even some newsreel documentaries have often found success as entertainment but as true to life tales they have had a tendency to fall short or miss the mark entirely in their depiction of the service member experience. 

This was in large part due to the delicate constitutions of the viewing populace. Essentially, studios wouldn't make money and the government wouldn't entice recruits if they always told it the way it really was. South Pacific ring a bell for anyone? For those seeking an unapologetic level of honesty, there is a solution.

            Currently in its eleventh year, the pioneering G.I. Film Festival remains an important platform for the military veteran community to share their stories in several categories including music videos, student films, features, and screenplays to name a few, allowing differing levels of filmmakers and avenues of expression to be showcased. Participants are also afforded the fantastic opportunity to network with working professionals in the television and film industry - the importance of which cannot be understated. 

When pursuing a career after the active duty military life has come to its conclusion, the exceptional news coverage the film festival garners is not limited to local newspapers around the D.C. area but reaches every corner of the nation through articles printed in the Washington Post and stories featured on national television providing widespread exposure to the projects selected.

GI Film Festival 2017

GIFF2017 - #GIFF2017

Buy Tickets: https://gifilmfestival.com/tickets/

May 24 - May 28, 2017

Washington D.C., USA

            Whether those projects be narrative shorts or feature-length documentaries, every experience shared on screen at the GI Film Festival is a real story that can only be told by those men and women of the armed forces that have lived through them. Stories that speak to viewers on spiritual levels; that reach depths within us that we thought perhaps we'd buried. 

In being open with their experiences - the good, the bad, and the in-between - participants promote understanding and encourages others to do the same. It is their expression that the event was founded on and on which it continues to thrive because their authenticity can be felt by those who watch in the screening rooms.

            Now, who can be in those screening rooms? Anyone, really. Not only those aforementioned entertainment industry professionals looking for talent but film students, family members, anyone in the general public who enjoys military stories and of course, fellow veterans. 

The event also includes opportunities for attendees and participants to socialize with one another and on the international level with respective counterparts from American allied countries.

     

GI Film Festival 2017

GIFF2017 - #GIFF2017

Buy Tickets: https://gifilmfestival.com/tickets/

May 24 - May 28, 2017

Washington D.C., USA

       As a daughter of two former United States soldiers myself, I appreciate the steadfast efforts the GI Film Festival team has put forth with each passing year for this event to continue as another means of connectivity among veterans. 

As a filmmaker with much of my work focused on military conflicts in the last century, this provides proof that these stories matter as they should which is in turn encouragement to keep pushing forward to share them as best I can so that one day I might be able to honor those who have sacrificed so that I might be in this position to do just that.

Guest Blogger: Ana Quinata
           Contact: quin@anaquinata.com
            Follow: Twitter/IG: @anaquinata

GI Film Festival 2017

GIFF2017 - #GIFF2017

Buy Tickets: https://gifilmfestival.com/tickets/

May 24 - May 28, 2017 

Washington D.C., USA

Blog posted by:

Fulton Film Company

Fresno, California

https://fultonfilmcompany.com/