GIFF to Host Screening During Wounded Warrior Appreciation Night, May 17, Washington, DC

Contact:  D’Ann Long – 951-315-6534, cell; or Laura Law-Millett – 800-928-6307, ext. 101

Washington, DC – Friday, April 20, 2012 – The award-winning GI Film Festival, the nation’s only military film festival, announced today that the 2012 festival will feature an advanced screening of Universal Pictures’ Battleship. The screening will take place on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at the E Street Theater in Washington, DC, the night before Battleship will be released in theaters nationwide.

Wounded Warrior Appreciation Night celebrates American military heroes who are working to successfully overcome and adapt to life after being injured during their service. Their presence that night will honor the founding spirit of the GI Film Festival.

In summer 2012, the battle for Earth begins at sea.

Peter Berg (Hancock, The Kingdom, Friday Night Lights) directs and produces Battleship, an epic-scale action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force.

Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Lieutenant Alex Hopper, a naval weapons officer assigned to USS John Paul Jones; Alexander Skarsgård as Hopper’s older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of USS Sampson; global music superstar Rihanna, making her motion-picture debut as Petty Officer Second Class Cora Raikes, Hopper’s crewmate and a weapons specialist on USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, Hopper’s fiancée and a physical therapist specializing in the rehabilitation of military combat veterans; Tadanobu Asano, as Captain Yugi Nagata, Commanding Officer of the Japanese destroyer Myoko and Hopper’s archrival; and Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone’s superior (and Sam’s father), Admiral Shane, Commander of the Pacific Fleet.

In his professional acting debut, U.S. Army Colonel Gregory D. Gadson, a battalion leader who lost both legs in Iraq in 2007, plays Lieutenant Colonel Mick Canales—an Army combat veteran and double amputee who begins his recovery just as the alien attack begins.

Inspired by Hasbro’s classic naval-combat game, Battleship is produced by Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir of Hasbro (the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises), Scott Stuber (Safe House, Couples Retreat), Film 44’s Sarah Aubrey (The Kingdom), along with Duncan Henderson (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, The Perfect Storm). The action-adventure is written by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber (Red).  www.battleshipmovie.com

“We are so flattered that the GI Film Festival has chosen Battleship to screen on its Wounded Warrior Appreciation Night,” said Brad Mendelson, Vice President of Theatrical Publicity, Universal Pictures. “The film celebrates the strength and honor of our nation’s finest, and we hope the attendees enjoy the sneak peek on this very special evening.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to present this high-adrenaline action film to our audience before it hits theaters nationwide,” said Brandon Millett, President of the GI Film Festival. “We couldn’t be more excited to show off one of the summer’s hottest films.”

“We are excited to welcome local heroes to the screening as special guests. We all love the dramatic heroics and fantastic special effects of movies like Battleship, but when it really counts, it’s our real-life heroes who make the world a better place every day,” said GI Film Festival Executive Director Laura Law-Millett.

For more information on the Battleship screening, click here, or visit www.gifilmfestival.com/Film_Screenings-detail/battleship/

The GI Film Festival is a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to sharing the military experience in and out of the arena of war. The GIFF is the only film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film. Review the festival’s 2012 schedule now, and start planning your visit.

GI Film Festival 2012 – reel stories, real heroes.

###

Join the GI Film Festival on Saturday, May 19th for a memorable evening as we send a special salute to Military spouses.

The evening, a special red carpet event, will include a special screening of films “High Card Trumps” and “Memorial Day” followed by special VIP reception

We will also present the GI Family Award to Sally Pressman and Brian McNamara from the cast of “Army Wives!”

Buy Tickets

 

Memorial Day
Memorial Day, 1995: When 13-year-old Kyle Vogel discovers a World War II footlocker belonging to his grandfather, Bud, who has never talked about the war. Kyle convinces Bud to strike a deal: Kyle can pick any three souvenirs and Bud will tell him the stories behind each one. Souvenirs not only takes us on a journey into Bud’s complicated wartime past, but also into Kyle’s wartime future. As the two men share parallel experiences in combat, they come to realize how that magical day shaped both of their lives.

High Card Trumps
Lois, a headstrong woman and soon-to-be champion grandmother, is excited to share her good news with the volunteers of her monthly Support-Our-Troops bake sale. But when an Arab mother joins them, Lois’s pride and her definition of patriotism are challenged.

 Special Guests Include: Actors Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds), Brian McNamara and Sally Pressman (Army Wives), Television Personality Pat Sajak and Iconic Businessman and Philanthropist H. Ross Perot, Sr.

 Contact:  D’Ann Long – 951-315-6534 or Laura Law-Millett – 800-928-6307 ext 101

Washington, DC – Tuesday, April 24, 2012 — The award-winning GI Film Festival (GIFF), the nation’s only military-themed film festival, is pleased to announce the full schedule of events for the 2012 event, which will feature premiere military film screenings, celebrity appearances, red carpet parties and more. The festival will take place Monday, May 14 through Sunday, May 20, 2012 in Washington, DC. For ticketing information and the program schedule, visit www.gifilmfestival.com.

The 6^th annual GIFF film line-up offers 42 film screenings representing every branch of the military and spanning five wars. Over the course of the six-day event, the festival will offer 23 narrative films and 19 documentaries covering every genre conceivable – from action and adventure to drama and romance. And with at least a dozen World Premiere screenings, GIFF offers plenty of opportunities to discover emerging directors, writers, producers and actors. GIFF is proud to welcome many promising and established military veteran filmmakers as well.

“We were overwhelmed by the raw talent and emotion expressed in this year’s film selections,” explained Brandon Millett, Co-Founder and President of the GI Film Festival. “Our mission is to educate the public about the successes and sacrifices of the American military and this festival line-up perfectly exemplifies that mission.”

In addition to offering the year’s best independent films, the GI Film Festival will host special events every night during the six-day festival, including:

• A Monday night special event honoring Mr. H. Ross Perot, Sr. for his lifelong support of the military, featuring a red carpet screening, awards ceremony and three-course dinner catered by Wolfgang Puck at the Newseum. (May 14)

• A Tuesday night Congressional Reception honoring Vietnam War veterans featuring 2012 “GI Spirit Award” winner actor Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds) and keynote presentations by Reps. Geoff Davis (R-KY) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA). (May 15)

• A Wednesday night event at the Canadian Embassy honoring the international warrior spirit with special guest emcee and television personality Pat Sajak. (May 16)

• A Thursday night advanced screening of the upcoming Universal Pictures feature film BATTLESHIP, directed by Peter Berg. The BATTLESHIP screening will take place during the festival’s Wounded Warrior Appreciation Night where wounded warriors from the DC metro area are the guests of honor. (May 17)

• A Friday night red carpet event highlighting films documenting the attacks of 9/11 and the beginning of the War on Terror, featuring world premiere screenings of 8:46 and From Philadelphia to Fallujah. (May 18)

• A Saturday night red carpet Salute to Military Spouses, which will feature the presentation of the Military Family Award to Army Wives co-stars Brian McNamara and Sally Pressman as well as the world premiere screening of Memorial Day, starring James Cromwell. (May 19)

• A Sunday night “Best of the Festival” film awards ceremony featuring a special appearance by Longhorn the Comedian. (May 20)

The festival will also feature a “Filmmaker Boot Camp” on Friday, May 18 at the Canadian Embassy where top producers, directors and writers will provide filmmakers with inside tips and strategies for succeeding in film and television.

“One of the best parts of the festival is every day is so different. Whether our guests are honoring the contributions of wounded warriors or walking the red carpet with famous actors, there’s a unique experience every night,” said GIFF Co-Founder and Director Laura Law-Millett, a graduate of West Point and a veteran of the U.S. Army and Army Reserves.

Tickets run from $12 for a single screening or film block to $50 for a weekend pass and $250 for a full festival pass. Tickets for the H. Ross Perot, Sr. event must be purchased separately.

The GI Film Festival is a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to sharing the military experience in and out of the arena of war. The GIFF is the only film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film. Review the festival’s 2012 schedule now, and start planning your visit!

GI Film Festival 2012 – reel stories, real heroes.

###

LH has been crisscrossing North America and Europe delivering his own brand of “Longhorn comedy” to his devoted fans in all sorts of venues: from bars, night clubs, and comedy clubs to colleges, military bases, corporate conventions, to even churches. LH is funny enough, flexible enough, and diverse enough to meet any and all of your comedy needs. As LH motto states “Laughter Has No Color”, and because of this philosophy Longhorn Comedy appeals to a very large mass of your clients.

Click here to see a brief view of  what GIFF 2012 has in store for you!   GIFF 2012 Preview Trailer

Presentation to Take Place during Festival’s Congressional Reception, May 15, 2012

Contact:  D’Ann Long – 951-315-6534, cell; or Laura Law-Millett – 800-928-6307, ext. 101

Washington, DC – Tuesday, April 17, 2012 – The award-winning GI Film Festival, the nation’s only military film festival, is pleased to announce that actor Joe Mantegna will receive the festival’s GI Spirit Award during a congressional reception to be held on Tuesday evening, May 15th.  The GI Spirit Award is presented to an entertainer who embodies the spirit of an American GI in their creative and philanthropic endeavors.  Previous recipients include actors Gary Sinise, Jon Voight and Lou Diamond Phillips, among others.

Chicago native Joe Mantegna has spent decades performing in both the theater and on film. He has been a part of some of the most memorable films and television shows ever produced.  From films like The Godfather III, Searching for Bobby Fischer or Close and Personal to being a regular on The Simpsons and starring in Criminal Minds as David Rossi, Joe creates memorable characters that will be remembered for generations.

For almost a decade, Mr. Mantegna has participated in the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington DC. In 2005 he was appointed the Honorary Chairman for The Salute to Hospitalized Veterans and Joe can often be found lending a hand to charities that benefit our military, their families and the USO.

“I am so honored to be recognized by the GI Film Festival,” said Joe Mantegna.  “We all have the same goal in the end – to support our troops in any way we can and celebrate the tremendous sacrifices our military men and women make in and out of the arena of war.”

“We cannot think of a more deserving recipient for the 2012 GI Spirit Award. Joe has helped raise millions of dollars for charities all over the world, including Operation Iraqi Children and spent countless hours with wounded service men and women,” explained Brandon Millett, President of the GI Film Festival.  “It would be impossible to list all of the wonderful things Joe has done, but it’s safe to say that he has impacted the lives of thousands of people through his philanthropic endeavors.  We are excited to have the opportunity to honor him at the festival.”

The GI Film Festival will present the GI Spirit Award to Joe Mantegna during the festival’s Congressional Reception, an event that will pay special tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War in 2012. The Congressional Reception, which is open to GI Film Festival VIP pass-holders, is co-chaired by Reps. Geoff Davis (R-KY) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), who will both be present to honor Vietnam Veterans for their service to our country.

The GI Film Festival is a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization and the only film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film. This year’s event will be held May 14-20, 2012 in Washington DC. Visit www.gifilmfestival.com for more information and a full schedule of events.

GI Film Festival 2012 – reel stories, real heroes.

###

Awards Presentation to take place on Military Spouse Appreciation Night, May 19

 Contact:  D’Ann Long – 951-315-6534, cell; or Laura Law-Millett – 800-928-6307 ext 101

Washington, DC – Monday, April 2, 2012 – The GI Film Festival is pleased to announce that members of the cast of Lifetime Television’s hit television show Army Wives will be present to accept the festival’s “GI Family Award” on Military Spouse Appreciation Night at the GI Film Festival.  This red-carpet event will take place on Saturday night, May 19, 2012 at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.

Army Wives actors Brian McNamara and Sally Pressman will be on hand to represent the cast of the entire show.  Army Wives, Lifetime’s most successful series in the network’s history, follows the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women — and one man — living with their spouses and families on an active Army post.  Their fictional depictions of Army life resonates with the real-life military spouse community.

“I could not be more proud to represent the show at the GI Film Festival,” explained Brian McNamara, who plays Major General Michael Holden on Army Wives. “Both our show and the festival work toward the same goal – to highlight the tremendous sacrifices military families make on our behalf every day.”

“I echo everything Brian said,” commented Sally Pressman, who plays feisty Roxy LeBlanc.  “And hopefully, our show brings awareness to the hardships military families face.  I’m delighted to be a part of it.”

The co-founders of the GI Film Festival are husband-wife team Brandon Millett and Laura Law-Millett, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a veteran of the U.S. Army and Army Reserves.  They created the GI Family Award to honor films and television shows that spotlight the unsung heroes of the nation’s military community, military families.

“As a military spouse myself, I feel a kinship with the families we are honoring at Military Spouse Appreciation Night.  Laura has spent almost two decades in the Army and Army Reserve and I have a deep understanding of the difficulties faced by these amazing patriots,” stated Brandon Millett, GI Film Festival Co-Founder and President.  “We feel it’s important to emphasize that military families serve alongside the American GIs they love and support.”

The GI Family Award’s presentation will be followed by a world premiere screening of the feature film Memorial Day, starring James Cromwell, and a VIP cocktail reception.

The GI Film Festival is a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization and the only film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film.  This year’s event will be held May 14-20, 2012 in Washington DC.  Visit www.gifilmfestival.com for more information and a full schedule of events.

GI Film Festival 2012 – reel stories, real heroes.

###