GI Film Festival San Diego Concludes Three Days of Powerful Military Storytelling, Announces 2026 Award Winners
The country’s largest military-themed film festival honored 10 awards to 8 filmmakers
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – May 15, 2026 – For the second consecutive year, the GI Film Festival San Diego announced its award winners during Opening Night on May 6, giving attendees an inspiring launch to the three-day event while celebrating this year’s standout films before a sold-out crowd. Following the screening of the powerful documentary feature “HOME FROM THE VIETNAM WAR” directed by Mat Hames, festival organizers unveiled the 2026 award winners, honoring the most outstanding films among the festival’s 15-film lineup.
The Opening Night screening selection left a profound impact on attendees. “HOME FROM THE VIETNAM WAR” follows a decorated U.S. veteran returning to Vietnam decades after the war alongside a friend who fled the country as a child, retracing painful memories while confronting former enemies in a deeply emotional search for healing, reconciliation, and peace. In attendance for Opening Night were film subjects Lt. Lee Alley and his wife, Ellen, along with their friend and South Vietnamese refugee John Nguyen. As the lights came up following the screening, the audience erupted into thunderous applause, followed by multiple standing ovations for Lt. Alley, his family, and the deeply moving story they shared.
During the post-screening panel discussion, attendees engaged in thoughtful conversation marked by a profound sense of camaraderie, particularly among the Vietnam War and other veterans in attendance. For many audience members, the evening reinforced the unique power of the festival to spark healing, reflection, and connection through authentic storytelling.
“As a member of the festival advisory committee for the past three years, I can say firsthand that there is truly no experience quite like the GI Film Festival San Diego,” says Douglas Alberto Alvarado, LCSW, U.S. Army OEF veteran, GI Film Festival San Diego advisory committee member, and lead veteran peer counselor with Courage to Call. “This festival gives audiences the opportunity to experience deeply personal and often untold stories connected to military service and veteran life that you simply won’t find anywhere else. As an Army veteran myself, I found Lt. Alley’s reflection on the importance of confronting wartime memories and embracing healing to be deeply resonant. His willingness to share his story is helping pave the way for veterans of all generations to open up, connect, and heal. Watching his story unfold alongside him in a room filled with veterans, military families, and civilians was an unforgettable experience and a powerful reminder of why this festival matters so much.”
Announcing the awards on Opening Night provided attendees an exciting preview of the remaining compelling films and conversations that would continue throughout the festival’s run at the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA @ SDMA). This year’s festival showcased films exploring themes of transitioning to civilian life, mental health, family dynamics, healing, reconciliation, identity, and art as a path to healing. Across three days, approximately 850 new and returning attendees experienced this year’s festival, underscoring its mission to elevate the voices, experiences, and stories of the military community.
To stay up-to-date on the GI Film Festival San Diego visit GIFilmFestivalSD.org and follow the festival on social media.
The 2026 Award Winners are:
Best Documentary Short:
“The Commitment to Courage” directed by B. Rain Bennett
Best Narrative Short:
“CINDY” directed by Al Chang
Best Feature Film:
“HOME FROM THE VIETNAM WAR” directed by Mat Hames
Best Acting:
Jasmine Kim, ”CINDY”
Best Untold Story (for Documentary Films):
“Sheepdogs” directed by Brian Knappmiller
Local Choice:
“The Craftsman” directed by Devin Scott
Best Original Art (or Animation) in a Film:
“This Is My Rifle” directed by Brad Bingham & Hope MacDonald
Veteran’s Voice (For Best Narrative Highlighting a Unique Veteran Story):
“ALMOST HOME” directed by Menhaj Huda
Spirit of KPBS:
“Ugo: An Artist at War” directed by Steve Nemsick
Best Film Directed by a Veteran:
Al Chang, “CINDY”
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.
The 2026 GI Film Festival San Diego is funded in part by Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veteran Affairs. Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Official sponsors of the 2026 festival are the USAA Educational Foundation, Scatena Media Group, Singleton Schreiber, AMC Networks, Dexcom, The Elizabeth Hospice, Navy Recruiting Reserve Command, US Bank, Verizon and Wounded Warrior Project. Additional support is provided by the AARP, California Film Commission, National University, Navy League San Diego, Southwestern College, and Viejas Casino & Resort.
KPBS is a member of the San Diego Veterans Coalition and the San Diego Military Family Collaborative.
About Film Consortium San Diego
The Film Consortium San Diego 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 annual San Diego Film Awards, San Diego Film Week, and Film Summit.
About KPBS
KPBS connects, reflects and serves all of our communities with trusted programming and dialogue. KPBS delivers this content to more than 1.3 million audience members weekly via multiple platforms, including television, radio, and digital media. As a public service of San Diego State University, education is a core value – from children’s programming to community discussions on important issues our region is facing, to local news coverage. KPBS provides stories that make us think, help us dream, and keep us connected. For more information, visit kpbs.org.
