Second Annual GI Film Festival Announces "Call for Entries"

Award-winning festival seeks films that honor American GIs

Arlington , Virginia – The GI Film Festival is currently seeking film submissions for its second annual event, to be held Armed Forces Weekend, May 14-18, 2008, in Washington , DC .  Filmmakers are encouraged to submit any film that, in some way, honors the successes and sacrifices of American GIs from the Revolutionary War through the War in Iraq and the worldwide struggle for freedom and liberty.

Overall, the GI Film Festival will present awards for the top films in five main categories:  Narrative Feature, Feature Documentary, Narrative Short, Documentary Short and Student Film.  All film submissions will be processed by Withoutabox.com, a film submission consultant to more than 2,600 film festivals worldwide.  Please visit www.gifilmfestival.com for submission details. 

Overall, the five-day GI Film Festival 2008 will include:

• “Fan Favorite” film screenings presented by award-winning Hollywood directors and actors.

• Premier film screenings featuring the work of promising new filmmakers.

• Panel discussions featuring soldiers, journalists, authors, and filmmakers.

• A congressional reception honoring members of Congress who have served in the military.

• Three VIP awards receptions featuring Hollywood celebrities, top military brass, filmmakers and Hollywood executives.

·         Exhibitions, special musical performances, Hollywood “meet and greets,” and more…

By all accounts, GI Film Festival 2007, which received the Freedom Foundation’s “George Washington Honor Medal” in its inaugural year, was truly first-rate, featuring classic and premier film screenings, musical performances, panel discussions, receptions and the presentation of the “GI Spirit Award” to Gary Sinise for his charitable work on behalf of GIs and their families.  Other VIP participants included actors R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) and Captain Dale Dye (Saving Private Ryan), directors Ron Maxwell (Gettysburg) and John Dahl (the Great Raid), music legend Pat Boone, country music star Michael Peterson, comedian Jeff Ross, executive producer Lou Reda, fitness guru Billy Blanks, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard B. Myers and Mrs. Mary Jo Myers.

The GI Film Festival also earned international press coverage from NBC, CBS, FOX, The Associated Press, The Washington Post, and Variety, to name a few media outlets.  The Pentagon Channel also covered the festival for the 2.6 million members of the U.S. Armed Forces around the world.

For more information please visit www.gifilmfestival.com.

To submit a film, please visit: www.withoutabox.com/login/5250. 

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