GI Film Festival Returns to Washington, D.C. to Showcase 13 Films Named ‘Best of the Fest’

The two-day special event connects the military and civilian communities in our nation’s capital through the power of film;
Admission is free, reservations required

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sept. 23, 2025 – The GI Film Festival returns for a two-day film screening event in Washington D.C. this November. The festival, which presents films that reveal the authentic experiences of servicemembers, veterans, and their families, originated and was held in the district before officially moving to San Diego, CA, nearly 10 years ago. On Tuesday, Nov. 4 and Wednesday, Nov. 5, the public will have a chance to see 13 fan-favorite films selected as “Best of the Fest” from the past decade. Including both documentaries and narratives, these films reflect the unique history, personal triumphs, and cinematic creativity housed within the military community.

The “Best of the Fest” starts with screenings at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association in Washington, D.C. The second round of screenings is set for 3:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5. All tickets are free and can be reserved at GIFilmFestival.org.

Celebrating 10 Years of Military Storytelling with 13 Films Across Two Days

The 13 films selected for “Best of the Fest” represent the breadth of perspectives the GI Film Festival has championed over the last decade in San Diego. There’s everything from heartwarming narrative-driven short films to feature-length documentaries uncovering the forgotten stories of past conflicts.

Among the 13 films screening at “Best of the Fest” are multiple GI Film Festival San Diego past award winners as well as films that were selected and screened virtually at the 2021 event. The 2025 winner of the Best Untold Story award, “Triumph Over Prejudice: The Montford Point Marines,” opens the two-day celebration on Nov. 4. Then, closing out the two-day event is “USS Indianapolis: The Legacy,” which took home Best Documentary Feature, Local Choice Award, and Audience Choice Award in 2016. A full list of the films being screened is below.

Each film screening is accompanied by a special discussion and a Q&A session with the filmmakers, film subjects, and subject matter experts. These are intended to both highlight the experiences of the military community while simultaneously educating civilian audiences on the trials and triumphs of military service.

Though “Best of the Fest” is a one-time event set for Nov. 4 and 5, the GI Film Festival San Diego is set to return to the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art May 6-8, 2026. Festival organizers are now accepting film submissions for the upcoming festival, with more information available at gifilmfestivalsd.org/2025/submission-details/.

A Homecoming in the Making

The GI Film Festival is organized and presented by KPBS, San Diego’s public media station, but has roots in the D.C. community, having launched here in 2007. Over the years, the festival has gained significant popularity in both communities and presented hundreds of filmmakers and films to countless members of the military community, cinephiles, and fans of documentary films.

The legacy of the festival shines bright in Washington, D.C., with many area residents still asking about the festival and when it will return to the area. The lasting popularity of the event speaks to both the power of military storytelling but also the importance of public media’s ability to share stories that matter and bring communities together. It offers Washington film enthusiasts, the military community, and fans of the festival a chance to celebrate the festival’s impact throughout its history.

“Returning to the nation’s capital, where the festival first began, is such a wonderful way to celebrate authentic military storytelling, especially in a place with such strong ties to the military community,” says Nancy Worlie, chief content officer at KPBS in San Diego. “We know how much the D.C. community adores the festival and continues to support the festival even from across the country. Providing them the opportunity to be a part of this milestone anniversary with us is so meaningful.”

Best of the Fest Full Film Lineup (In Alphabetical Order)

“BY MY SIDE”: Set in Northern California, “BY MY SIDE” is an intimate portrait of three veterans suffering from the “invisible wound,” called post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is the most prevalent and unhealed wound suffered by veterans. Approximately 20% of those who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are still haunted by visions, chased by enemies they can never outrun, and tortured by the fear that the enemy is them. The three veterans and their families bravely share their pain, fear, and the difficult realization that they’ve lost time and love that they may never get back again. All three found hope where no one had looked—in the heart of a faithful service dog. Documentary Short | Directed by Vicki Topaz, Wynn Padula | 30 minutes | 2023 | USA
“CHORUS”: After missing his wife’s phone call goodbye on the morning of September 11th, a now listless and brokenhearted music teacher must harmonize with his increasingly desperate fourteen-year-old son. Narrative Short | Directed by Daniel J. Egbert | 20 minutes | 2022 | USA | Made By or Starring Military or Veterans
“DOLDRUMS”: A Vietnam War veteran is haunted by memories of his fellow soldiers and the Viet Cong medic who treated his wounds at a great personal cost. Narrative Short | Produced and Directed by Le Chau | 14 minutes | 2023 | USA | Student Film | Made By or Starring Military or Veterans
“The Donut Dollies”: In 1968, two best friends joined an elite team and flew into a war zone wearing powder blue dresses. They were Red Cross Donut Dollies. These idealistic young women embraced their mission — to cheer up the GIs in Vietnam — with energy, creativity, compassion, and resolve but had no idea what they were getting into. Forty-seven years later, they reunite in Vietnam to retrace their steps; ask why they went; ask whether they made a difference; unlock buried memories; and share their stories for the first time. Documentary Feature | Directed by Norm Anderson | 85 minutes | 2018 | USA
“Guide On”: On her first day of basic training, Halle Varro, a young Army recruit, stands out among her peers as she competes to be the guidon bearer. Halle’s attitude of defiance and winning at all costs puts her in Drill Sergeant Mallett’s crosshairs. Can Halle rise to the challenge and become the first female guidon bearer? Inspired by true events. Narrative Short | Directed by Paige Compton | 16 minutes | 2020 | USA | Made By or Starring Military or Veterans
“A Place of Honor”: A Place of Honor recounts the lived experiences of veterans and Gold Star families from before, through and after the Vietnam War. The creation of the only memorial and museum dedicated to the lives lost in the war lead to a renewed sense of purpose and meaning. Contains some graphic descriptions and imagery of war. Viewer discretion is advised. Documentary Short | Produced and Directed by Vanessa Roth | 32 minutes | 2024 | USA
“Polka.”: Near his campsite under a bridge, Kenny makes a discovery that changes his lonely existence. He sets out to look for materials to make accommodations for his new life. As he moves through the city, he feels keen that he does not belong and finds it difficult to get what he needs. A young woman confronts him, and after the initial tension of the confrontation fades, she decides to help him. Kenny returns to his camp only to find that a cleanup crew is removing his belongings. He manages to frighten them away, which buys him enough time to collect his newfound treasure and anything else he can carry. Knowing that the cleanup crew will return, he sets out to find a new place to live. Finally, Kenny arrives in a clearing overlooking San Diego. He builds what he initially intended – a place to live in peace with his new prize. Narrative Short | Directed by Andrew Brame | 9 minutes | 2019 | USA
“SHELLSHOCK”: Visceral, haunting and unrelenting, this short film plunges audiences into the fractured mind of a warrior trapped between two worlds: the battlefield and the home front. A decorated combat veteran and Navy Seal returns home only to find himself locked in a new kind of warfare—one fought in the shadows of his own mind. Reality twists and fractures as past and present collide, forcing him into a high-stakes battle for survival against an enemy he cannot see. Every moment is a fight to stay grounded. Every breath is a war against the ghosts that refuse to let him go. Contains depictions of combat-related trauma, intense flashbacks and psychological distress. Viewer discretion is advised. Narrative Short | Produced and Directed by Justin Garza | 30 minutes | 2023 | USA | Made By or Starring Military or Veterans
“Soldiers’ Stories From Iraq and Afghanistan: The Artist’s Process”: In her series, “Soldiers’ Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan: The Artist’s Process,” photographer Jennifer Karady collaborates with returning military veterans to restage a moment from war, producing narrative photographs that reveal how their war experiences infiltrate their daily civilian lives. The film chronicles the intricate and intimate process between Karady and one of her subjects, former Army Specialist Lucero Morales, as they connect a traumatic incident in Najaf, Iraq, with the popping sound of a biscuit can as Morales prepares breakfast for her children. They ultimately stage a photograph that helps Morales begin to heal. Documentary Short | Directed by Jennifer Karady | 18 minutes | 2020 | USA
“Triumph Over Prejudice: The Montford Point Marines”: Against the backdrop of a world on the brink, the Montford Point Marines transcended enemy lines and formidable barriers of racial segregation. Beginning in rural Virginia, their journey to the front lines of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War is more than a testament to their bravery – it’s a reflection of their indomitable spirit and unyielding resolve. Confronting racial prejudices, the heartbreaks of war, and the turbulent transition to civilian life, these men never wavered in their commitment. Triumph Over Prejudice dives deep into the uncharted terrains of the Black experience in the early 20th century Marine Corps, illuminating stories often shadowed in history’s corners. The film weaves personal narratives into a rich tapestry, culminating in an epic saga of heroism, perseverance, and the enduring legacy of the American veteran. Documentary Short | Produced and Directed by Daniel Bernardi | 53 minutes | 2023 | USA | Made By or Starring Military or Veterans
“This One Step”: A young Texan veteran and his wife must re-learn the rhythm of their relationship, complicated by lingering PTSD and physical difficulties. Each day, they take steps—forward and backward, to re-learn their emotional and physical rhythm. “This One Step,” shows how simple, everyday moments such as hiking a hill or dancing the Texan two-step can be huge milestone markers for a military veteran, who is adjusting to a prosthetic leg and overcoming PTSD. Narrative Short | Directed by The Ray Sisters | 5 minutes | 2018 | USA | Made by or Starring Military or Veterans
“USS Indianapolis: The Legacy”: The Legacy Project tells the fate of the World War II heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis using exclusively first-person accounts. The last crew and their families share gripping stories of kamikaze attacks, invasions, a secret mission, and ultimately a devastating torpedo attack that killed three fourths of the crew. The survivors recall the five days they spent floating alone in the Pacific Ocean, their miraculous rescue, and how they fought together to clear their captain’s name. Start to finish, this feature-length film flows from survivor to survivor as they finish each other’s sentences. Set to a completely original score, the incredible story unfolds while rare WWII footage, a collection of previously unpublished photographs, open-ocean reenactments, and new footage from one of the last WWII era heavy cruisers in existence. Documentary Feature | Directed by Sara Vladic | 98 minutes | 2015 | USA
“XVII Carvings”: Marine Corps veteran Anthony Marquez is on a quest to create a memorial for the 17 fellow Marines that his unit lost in Afghanistan. Anthony is doing this by carving with chainsaws a “Battlefield Cross” for every Gold Star family affected by that loss. He then hand delivers the carvings to the families. To some, this may just be folk art…to Anthony it’s his new mission in life, to honor the fallen. Documentary Short | Directed by Jesse Larvick, Manny Marquez | 5 minutes | 2017 | USA

About Best of the Fest in D.C.

GI Film Festival Best of the Fest is a two-night event featuring a curated selection of 13 films from the last 10 years of the GI Film Festival. The GIFF began in Washington, D.C. before moving its headquarters to San Diego.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary, the GI Film Festival returns to the metro D.C. area to feature a curated selection of films that brings together veterans, filmmakers, and civilians who want to learn more about what it means to serve, reflect on shared history, and appreciate independent films and the cinematic arts.

All film screenings are free and open to the public. Discussions with filmmakers, film subjects and subject matter experts will immediately follow showtimes. GIFF in Washington, D.C. is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and is organized by KPBS, public media in San Diego in partnership with WETA. More information at gifilmfestival.org.

About GI Film Festival San Diego

The GI Film Festival San Diego is a multi-day showcase of films for, by and about military members and veterans. Films featured in the festival reveal the experiences of service members, veterans, and their families. The festival also provides veterans and service members with an opportunity to further their creative skills.

Documentaries, shorts, narratives, and feature-length films are presented. The festival includes international and local films. Local films feature San Diego’s filmmakers, events, people, or places.

Film screenings are followed by discussions with filmmakers, actors, documentary subjects, and/or subject-matter experts. The festival presents awards in multiple categories, honoring excellence in filmmaking. The festival is organized and produced by KPBS in partnership with the Film Consortium San Diego.

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