May 9, 2008

Exclusive: Hollywood Stars Robert Duvall, Gary Sinise to Celebrate the American GI at Film Festival

Jim Kouri, CPP

Gary Sinise and Robert Duvall will lead a star-studded festival to be held May 14-18, 2008 at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC.

Overall, the five-day festival will present both classic and premier films honoring the nation's men and women in uniform. For the full festival agenda, or to request media credentials, visit http://www.gifilmfestival.com. Scheduled events include:*

--  Film screenings presented by award-winning Hollywood actors and directors. Scheduled presenters include Gary Sinise, Robert Duvall, Stephen Baldwin, Ron Maxwell, and Lou Reda, to name a few.  

--  24 military film premiers featuring the work of promising new filmmakers.  

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

--  The presentation of the "Corporate Patriot Award," to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for the company's philanthropic work on behalf of the American Armed Forces.  

--  A "WWE Action Fest" at Bolling Air Force Base featuring a WWE autograph session with WWE Superstar Mr. Kennedy followed by a screening of WWE's The Marine and a special presentation by former Buck  Rogers television actor Gil Gerard.   

--  Panel discussions, including The 100 Greatest War Films of All-Time, War Stories, Faith in the Foxhole, and The Portrayal of GIs in Film and the Media.   

--  VIP after parties featuring celebrities, top military brass, and  filmmakers   

--  A three-day, onsite exhibit where visitors can learn about veteran service organizations.   

--  Special appearances by:  John Ratzenberger, Dale Dye, Karri Turner, Leeann Tweeden, James McEachin, General Richard Myers, General George Casey, General Richard Cody, The Honorable Dan Glickman, and many more.   

"Our mission is simple: To honor the successes and sacrifices of American GIs through the medium of film. Some of the films will be fan favorites. Others will be screened for the first time. All will, in some way, honor the courage and selflessness of our fighting men and women," said GI Film Festival President Brandon Millett.

"The GI Film Festival is a can't-miss event for anyone who wants to watch great military films, meet Hollywood stars and support the troops." The GI Film Festival is the first and only film festival dedicated to the American military. GI Film Festival 2007, held Memorial Day Weekend 2007, received the George Washington Medal from the Freedom's Foundation for the festival's "exceptional work...promoting an understanding and appreciation for our country's rich heritage and unique freedoms." Moreover, one GI Film Festival 2007 premier, Operation Homecoming, was a finalist for the Academy Award for "Best Feature Documentary."   

Ticket prices range from $5 per event to $300 for an all-access festival pass, which includes access to all festival events and celebrity cocktail receptions, as well as VIP seating for all events. GI Film Festival media partners include: The Military History Channel, The Discovery Military Channel, WUSA-9, WMAL, The Weider History Group, The Washington Times, The Hill Newspaper, and Military.com.   

GI Film Festival sponsors include: World Wrestling Entertainment, USAA, Sikorsky, American Airlines, Bank of America, Genius Products, TriWestHealthcare Alliance, and the Motion Picture Association of America. For more information, please visit http://www.gifilmfestival.com. VIP festival passes and single event tickets are now on sale.