The GI Film Festival (GIFF), a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by Army veteran Laura Law-Millett and her husband Brandon Millett, is "dedicated to 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. GIFF also hosts an annual west coast festival each October in San Diego in partnership with KPBS. Festival events have included screenings, panels, Q&As, concerts, parties, raffles, game nights and gala awards ceremonies.
GIFF has 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.
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, as well as the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.
Military-related films from other countries are also eligible for submission to the festival.
History
The inaugural flagship event was held in 2007 over Memorial Day Weekend at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
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.
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. 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
Notable attendees: US Senator John McCain, Kelsey Grammer, Fred Thompson and Robert Duvall.
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, 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.
2017
Notable attendees in DC: Judd Nelson
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. On October 18, the west coast opening night film was The 2 Sides Project.
2018
Notable attendees in SD: George Takei, Jeffrey Wright
2019
Family Movie Night on the USS Midway
Award winners
2007
Feature Narrative: Divergence – (dir. Patrick Donnelly). Documentary Short: Shakey's Hill (dir. Norman Lloyd). 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.