Five Reasons Not to Miss the GI Film Festival this Year

There is a film in this year’s GI Film Festival line-up for everyone. Overall the festival schedule will show 31 film premieres with action, romance, comedy, and drama all represented. Here are five stand-outs that you must see.

1. They Wereth Eleven

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They Wereth Eleven is an amazing film directed by award winning director Robert Child about the untold story of 11 African American soldiers who were slaughtered by the SS in WWII.

2. A Marine’s Guide to Fishing

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A Marine’s Guide to Fishing , directed by Nicholas Brennan, stars Matthew Pennington, a former Marine with three combat tours under his belt. Pennington also received the Purple Heart after loosing his leg in an IED attack. This film beautifully portrays the struggle with reintegration following a deployment.

3. Journey Home

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Journey Home is written by, directed by and stars Christopher Loverro, an Iraq War veteran. In the film, Loverro’s character accompanies his fallen buddy’s body back home to his family.

4. Line of Departure is also written by, directed by, and stars active duty Marine, Folleh Tamba. In addition to being an award-winning filmmaker, Tamba has served three combat tours in the Middle East. This is a thoughtful film about what goes through the mind of a Marine in the days leading up to a combat deployment.

5. Xtraction

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Xtraction is a great action film from up and coming filmmaker Marco Santiago. It tells the story of a woman veteran who risks everything to break up a smuggling operation in Mexico.

A sixth reason not to miss GIFF: All military ID holders get a 20% discount on tickets with the code MIL11. Fore more information visit www.gifilmfestival.com. Coming from out of town? Discounted hotel rooms can be booked here and all GIFF guests get a free metro card!

The GI Film Festival, founded by Brandon Millett and former Army Major Laura Law-Millett, is a 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission is to honor the men and women in uniform through film. This year’s festival runs from 9-15 May in Washington, DC.