Actor Gary Sinise will attend the GI Film Festival in Washington this weekend. The event is the first of its kind to honor armed forces. FILE/ASSOCIATED PRESS

The first-ever film festival honoring the armed services will take place this weekend in Washington

Date published: 5/24/2007

By ERICA MASON

The first-ever film festival dedicated to the work of the American armed forces will be held this weekend in Washington.

The GI Film Festival will debut in honor of Memorial Day, and co-founder Brandon Millett is thrilled.

"We were shocked to find out there has never been a film festival dedicated to military service," Millett said.

The festival will premiere nearly 20 films from up-and-coming filmmakers. Military classics such as "Forrest Gump" also will be shown.

"Most of the new films are coming from new directors," Millett said. "We want to establish some new filmmakers in the first year."

Millett, along with his wife, Laura Law-Millett, combined their military background and love of film to create the festival.

Law-Millett is a West Point graduate and Army reservist.

"In all the debate over the war in Iraq, we wanted to do something to honor the courage and service of the armed services," Millett said, "And, we're both huge fans of film."

After months of networking and spreading the word, Millett pulled together soldiers, veterans, directors, producers and actors to attend the festival and participate in panel discussions.

Actors Gary Sinise and Chuck Norris and singer Pat Boone are just a few of the familiar faces that will attend the film fest.

Lou Reda, a World War II vet, and military documentary and biography filmmaker, will show his film "Vietnam: Homecoming," followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

"I think [the festival] is a sensational idea," said Reda, who has been in the entertainment industry for decades.

Millett was stunned at the number of submissions--more than 140 documentaries, shorts and features--he received to be screened.

"We were pleasantly surprised with the high quality of the films sent in," he said.

In addition to the film's direction and production, Millett had one more important criterion for selection.

"The film had to depict soldiers in a respectful manner," he said.

Reda said that he's enthusiastic about the impact the festival will have.

"What we're trying to do is make the public aware of what's going on."

Erica Mason: 540/374-5400
Email: emason@freelancestar.com

What: The GI Film Festival Where: Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington When: Saturday through Monday, May 28 Cost: Prices vary from $12 for one screening to $375 for the whole shebang. Tickets/Info: gifilmfesti val.com

Date published: 5/24/2007