MEDIA CONTACT:
Pete Couste
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THE GI FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO
WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA
ELEVENTH
ANNUAL “SUNDANCE FOR THE TROOPS” RUNS MAY 24th – 28th
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 27th, 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.
