GI Film Festival San Diego Honors Filmmakers at Third Annual Awards Celebration
Awards celebration brings together local filmmakers, active duty and military veterans during San Diego’s only military film festival.
SAN DIEGO – Oct. 24, 2017 – On the evening of Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 the GI Film Festival San Diego announced the winners of the Local Film Showcase in eight categories. More than 100 people attended the soiree hosted by comedian and former U.S. Navy Officer, Jamie Kaler, and featured entertainment by the American Flyboys.
The 2017 winners are:
Category: Best Documentary Short
“Exiled”
By Mike Seely and John Kane
Open Signal Productions
Category: Best Narrative Short
“Once Guilty, Now Innocent, Still Dead”
Directed by Mark A. Vizcarra
Gem Canyon Productions
Category: Best Film Made by A Veteran or Service Member
“Once Guilty, Now Innocent, Still Dead”
Directed by Mark A. Vizcarra
Gem Canyon Productions
Category: Best Actor
Larry Poole
“Once Guilty, Now Innocent, Still Dead”
Category: Best Actress
Kayla Schaffroth
“Fletcher & Jenks”
Category: Spirit of San Diego Award
“USO San Diego 75 Year Anniversary”
Directed by David Romero
Eddie Grace Arts & Film
Category: Local Choice Award
“USO San Diego 75 Year Anniversary”
Directed by David Romero
Eddie Grace Arts & Film
Category: Audience Choice Award
“Exiled”
By Mike Seely and John Kane
Open Signal Productions
To be eligible for the Local Film Showcase, films had to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- A storyline or narrative arc that is about the military experience within San Diego County or Imperial County.
- A military themed film that is made by individual(s) who reside in San Diego County or Imperial County.
- A military themed film featuring more than 60 percent of cast and crew from San Diego County or Imperial County.
- A military themed film that was shot or edited within San Diego County or Imperial County.
- A film of any genre or topic made by a local filmmaker who is currently serving or has served in the U.S. military. Local filmmakers should reside in San Diego County or Imperial County.
Local veterans and active duty military were invited to submit entries on any topic. Local student and professional filmmakers with no military background were invited to submit films with a military theme. Any (national or international) filmmakers were invited to submit a film on military subject matter based in San Diego County or Imperial County.
The 2018 GI Film Festival San Diego is scheduled for Fall 2018. For up-to-date information on the festival and to be notified of the film submission process for 2018, visit www.GIFilmFestivalSD.org.
More About the GI Film Festival San Diego
The GI Film Festival San Diego is one of only a few film festivals in the entire United States to exclusively feature stories for, by, and about military service members and veterans. Films selected for this year’s GI Film Festival San Diego featured diverse stories with themes ranging from women in the military, resiliency and recovery, transitioning, and the LGBTQ+ community. Selections also highlight military experiences from within the Hispanic, African American, and Asian cultures. Wars covered in the films span from World War II to the present day conflicts. Films came from around the United States as well as here in San Diego and included feature length films to shorts. The 2017 GI Film Festival San Diego featured 33 films in all, including two World Premieres and eight West Coast Premieres. There are also filmmaker appearances and panel discussions. Screenings were presented in themed film blocks so audience members can fully immerse themselves in the festival experience.
The GI Film Festival San Diego is organized by KPBS in partnership with the GI Film Group and Film Consortium San Diego. Official sponsors of the 2017 GI Film Festival San Diego include Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling, City National Bank, Lewis University, National City Mile of Cars, Altus Schools, Bob Baker Subaru, and GEICO Military with additional support from Scatena Daniels Communications and the Maritime Museum. Alaska Airlines is the official travel sponsor.
About GI Film Group
The GI Film Group is a full-service media company dedicated to preserving the stories of military veterans. GIFG is the production entity behind the award-winning GI Film Festival (GIFF), a 501c(3), also known as “Sundance for the Troops,” which is held each May in Washington, D.C. The festival is the first in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film.
About Film Consortium San Diego
The Film Consortium San Diego LLC is a social venture that stimulates film and television production in the region and increases networking, employment, education, funding and distribution opportunities in film, television and new media. The Film Consortium hosts and organizes the San Diego Film Awards, San Diego Film Week, Summer at the Drive-in and various screening and networking events.
About KPBS
KPBS is a public service of San Diego State University, serving over one million audience members weekly across TV (15.1, 15.2, 15.3, and 15.4), radio (89.5 FM and 97.7 FM Calexico), and the web with content that is educational as well as entertaining—and free of commercial interruption.
FILM DESCRIPTIONS OF AWARD-WINNING FILMS 2017
- “Exiled” – Two military veterans, both green card immigrants willing to die for their country, find themselves deported and are now fighting to be heard. A persuasive and intimate look at the human consequences of current U.S. immigration policy. Documentary / Dir. Mike Seely / 30 minutes / Local Film Showcase / 2017 GI Film Festival San Diego: Best Documentary Short and Audience Choice
- “Fletcher & Jenks” – When a long time detective is partnered up with a rookie, they begin to piece together clues to a serial murderer. However, the culprit they are chasing turns out to be someone close to the case. Narrative / Dir. Tony Olmos / 2016 / Seven minutes / Local Film Showcase / 2017 GI Film Festival San Diego: Best Actress
- “Once Guilty, Now Innocent, Still Dead” – When a fourteen-year old boy is shot in the back in Wyoming in 1902, the community is outraged and demands the perpetrator of this detestable atrocity be hanged. As two men await execution and reflect on what has transpired, the execution clock in their holding cell continues to tick away. In an unexpected twist, both men are merely pawns to the power and corruption of those who seek to control others. Narrative / Dir. Mark Vizcarra / 2017 / 15 minutes / World Premiere / Local Film Showcase / 2017 GI Film Festival San Diego: Best Narrative Short, Best Film Made by a Veteran or Service Member, and Best Actor
- “USO San Diego 75 Year Anniversary” – USO San Diego has two main locations that help military personnel feel at home when they are away. Countless volunteers have helped serve the military community for much of the USO’s history. The San Diego Airport location has been awarded top honors in the nation and has been widely recognized as the model station for our service people. Documentary / Dir. David Romero / 2016 / Six minutes / Local Film Showcase / 2017 GI Film Festival San Diego: Local Choice Award and Spirit of San Diego Award
