The VA Experience: A GIFF and CVA Video Contest

“THE VA HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE”

Top Three Video Submissions to receive cash prizes and “official selection status” at GI Film Festival DC, May 19-25, 2014

Arlington, Virginia – The GI Film Festival (www.gifilmfestival.com) announced today that the veterans advocacy organization Concerned Veterans for America (www.CV4A.org) is sponsoring a video contest in partnership with the festival entitled, “The VA Experience.” The contest focuses on the experiences of American military servicemen and women with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically VA healthcare and/or the disability claims process. The video must be between three to five minutes in length and submitted no later than April 16, 2014.

There is no submission fee required to participate.

The top five videos as determined by the festival’s panel of judges, will be screened at the 2014 GI Film Festival in Washington, DC, May 19-25, 2014 as “official selections,” and will be posted on the GI Film Festival website. The top three winning videos will be awarded cash and prizes that include:

• $5,000 and 2 VIP tickets to the 2014 DC GI Film Festival (grand prize)
• $3,000 and 2 VIP tickets to the 2014 DC GI Film Festival (second prize)
• $1,000 and 2 VIP tickets to the 2014 DC GI Film Festival (third prize)

For contest rules and/or to submit a video, visit HERE (http://gifilmfestival.com/cvacontest/).

GIFF, a 501c3 non-profit organization described as “Sundance for the Troops,” preserves the stories of veterans through film, television and training. 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.

“The GI Film Festival is all about showcasing the ground truth experience of our men and women in uniform in combat and back on the home-front,” said GI Film Festival co-founder and President Brandon Millett.

“With so many veterans coming home after service in Iraq and Afghanistan, healthcare is of primary concern for service-members and their families.  We  believe this video contest will put the spotlight on what we are doing right and what we need to improve as we seek to take care of those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

CVA, a 501c4 veterans and military families organization, works with veterans and military families to advance reform on issues that impact veterans, their families, and all Americans. CVA seeks to translate the experiences, concerns, and hopes of military veterans and their families into a common vision of liberty and freedom—and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is central to the organization’s mission.

“The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is charged with serving our nation’s veterans in every way possible. And while some veterans have a good experience, many others are frustrated by long-wait times or substandard care,” said Pete Hegseth, CEO of Concerned Veterans for America.  “The goal of this contest is to channel the stories of veterans and their experiences—good and bad—toward reforms that make VA more effective. CVA is honored to partner with GIFF, and provide a platform for veterans and their families to share their stories.”

The GI Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization and neither supports nor opposes legislation or candidates for public office. Concerned Veterans for America is a non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for policies that preserve the freedom and prosperity veterans and their families sacrificed to defend.

GIFF Announces LA Event Location

 The GI Film Festival Announces Second Annual Los Angeles Film Fest November 1-2, 2013, to be held at The Walt Disney Studios

‘Sundance for the Troops’ to Feature ‘Best of GIFF’ Film Screenings, New Premieres and Workshops Dedicated to Helping Military Veterans Find Success in Entertainment

Arlington, Virginia – The GI Film Festival, a community partner of the Hollywood studio-driven “Got Your Six” military support campaign and the nation’s only military film festival, announced today that it will host its second annual GI Film Festival Los Angeles, November 1-2, 2013 at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA.

GIFF, a 501c3 non-profit organization described as “Sundance for the Troops,” preserves the stories of veterans through film, television and training. GIFF LA will feature “best of GIFF” award-winning film screenings from previous GIFF festivals, new film premieres from military veteran filmmakers and workshops dedicated to helping military veterans find success in entertainment.

“This is a proud moment for the festival, and the hundreds of filmmakers who have contributed their creative work in service of the arts and our country,” said GI Film Festival co-founder Brandon Millett. “We are so honored to bring the GI Film Festival to one of the most storied and accomplished studios in the history of Hollywood.”

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.

GIFF LA 2013 will be conducted in collaboration with Disney’s “Heroes Work Here” Veterans initiative, dedicated to providing employment and volunteer opportunities for veterans as well as financial sponsorship to support veterans’ education.

Film Line-up:  Click here for more details on GIFF LA, including the film line-up (http://gifilmfestival.com/gi-film-festival-los-angeles/).

Sponsorship:  Some sponsorship opportunities remain. Interested companies and organizations can click here for more details (http://gifilmfestival.com/become-a-giff-sponsor/). Or contact info@gifilmfestival.com.

Tickets: GIFF LA tickets are now on sale at www.gifilmfestival.com.

Partners for the GIFF LA event include: Got Your Six, American Legion Post 43, Veterans in Film and Television, Operation Gratitude, and Operation Home Front, among others. The GIFF LA Host Committee is chaired by Steven Dunning of NBC Universal with actor and military veteran Mark Valley serving as the Honorary Co-Chair.

Hollywood Stars and 42 Film Screenings Mark Sixth Annual GI Film Festival, May 14 - 20, 2012, in Washington, DC

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.

WASHINGTON, 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 6th 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.

SOURCE GI Film Festival