GI Film Festival: Discount Code
You heard me talk with Brandon Millet and Laura Law-Millet, founders of the GI Film Festival, last week on the radio show! They're offering a 20% discount on tickets to all GIFF events for this year's festival which lasts May 21-29, 2016. Listen to the podcast (link above) to hear more about the festival, but here's a little description:
The GI Film Festival (GIFF) is a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to sharing the military experience in and out of the arena of war. The festival is the first in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film.
The GIFF presents films from new and established international and domestic filmmakers that honor the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces and the worldwide struggle for freedom and liberty. Some of the films screened are voted on by fans. Others are screened for the first time. All will in some way express the courage and selflessness of our fighting men and women and the value of their work.
In addition to presenting feature, documentary, and short film screenings, the GIFF also presents panel discussions, educational forums and special events, including:
- Movie screenings by international and domestic filmmakers.
- Awards presentation featuring a special celebrity major motion picture screening.
- Kick-off cocktail party and red carpet events
- Special exhibitions
- Hollywood “meet and greets,” and more…
Use Discount Code: allix2016
Top 5 Reasons to go to Middleburg Film Festival
My visit to the 2014 Middleburg Film Festival was my first, but it certainly won't be my last. It was one of the most entertaining, educational, and (even in spite of the hustling and work I had to do as a critic) relaxing film festivals I've been to. Here's my Top 5 Reasons why:
Photo: Salamander Resort & Spa
5. Wine Country and Salamander Resort &Spa
This may look like a glass of local wine and a burger and fries, but it was actually some of the best I've ever had. No joke!
Just a little over an hour from the most powerful city in the world, Washington D.C., you can find yourself in the mountainous countryside of Middleburg, Virginia. With each mile you move away from the city, you get closer to relaxation. If you’re a big fan of wine, Middleburg has five vineyards within a ten mile radius. I had to have a glass of a local Merlot with a quick bite in between films and it was awesome! The Salamander Resort hosts the film festival each year, and the resort itself is gorgeous. If you’re an equestrian, hiker, wine connoisseur or just in need of a getaway, the festival gives you a chance to do all of these things while seeing great films!
4. Tributes to Industry Leaders
This year, the festival honored three time Academy Award Winner for Costume Design, Colleen Atwood with a Masquerade Ball, and hosted a concert honoring Academy Award Nominated composer Marco Beltrami. If the names Colleen Atwood and Marco Beltrami aren’t familiar to you, google them and you’ll automatically know their work. The fact that the Middleburg Film Festival has taken the time to honor these talented leaders is something you don’t see at most festivals, but should be done more often! Festival Founder Sheila Johnson and Executive Director Susan Koch appreciate the unsung heroes of film, and thus in honoring them they help increase public awareness and appreciation as well.
3. Q&As and Panels
Panel on Film Distribution & Financing
If you want to know more about the making of a film, who better to talk with than its director or producer? The film festival has no shortage of working industry directors, producers, and more on hand for Q&As and panels. For a film geek like me it’s great to see a film and hear about what went in to making it or increase my filmmaking knowledge by sitting in on a panel. The panels give you first hand industry insight into the filmmaking process. (Click here to watch the Panel on Film Distribution & Financing)
Check out the Q&As after "Red Army" and "Low Down" here:
2. Networking
See number 3. In fact, just sitting down at the Salamander bar may give you face time with a producer like Ron Yerxa ("Nebraska", "Low Down") or CEO of Snag Films, Rick Allen. If you are serious about the craft, or a burgeoning filmmaker, this is the place to do be. Please, be smart. Don’t be “that person” that’s trying to push a product and hounding people that come to the festival. However, there’s no question that part of the reason Sheila Johnson founded the festival was to be able to create opportunities for connections to be made and collaborations to evolve amongst filmmakers, producers, and patrons!
1. Films
It always comes back to film! In its two years of existence, the Middleburg Film Festival has exhibited films before they hit theaters. This year I saw great films like "Two Days, One Night", "Red Army", and "Dior and I". Some of the films exhibited at the festival go on to be Academy Award nominees. Which means that Middleburg is on the map as a go to festival for producers, the festival has engaging and entertaining films, and you will likely be among the first to see them! What more can you ask for from a festival?
"Furious 7" Trailer
As a fan of the "Fast & Furious" franchise (minus a couple) I was thrilled to see the new trailer! Looks like the stunts are bigger and badder than ever! I can't wait to see the film. Check out the trailer:
Picture Lock at RIFE and the Indie Capitol Awards
The Reel Independent Film Extravaganza (RIFE) kicks off tonight (Oct. 10) with "6 Non Smokers" headlining the showcase. RIFE is currently in its' 5th year and works to bridge the gap between local filmmakers, the film lover, and the domestic/international independent film scene. RIFE focuses on showcasing a higher percentage of independently produced local films to screen alongside their meticulously curated domestic and international offerings. Picture Lock will be on hand conducting interviews with filmmakers, and patrons on Saturday!
Kevin Sampson will also be co-hosting the inaugural IndieCapitol Awards which will take place on Sunday (Oct. 12) at the Angelika Mosaic Film Center in Fairfax, VA from 1-4PM. The event will celebrate the best of local independent DMV filmmakers' works.
About the Indie Capitol Awards:
Reel Independent Film Extravaganza and IndieCapitol presents the 1st Annual IndieCapitol awards. The event, which is being held at the beautiful Angelika Mosaic Film Center in Fairfax, Virginia on October 12, 2014 from 1pm-4pm, will celebrate the accomplishments of independent filmmakers hailing from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Nominees across 18 categories will be recognized and winners will be announced at the event that will also feature special presentations for personalities and businesses who support the Metropolitan area's independent filmmaking community. The event will be preceded by a red carpet entrance with step & repeat photography and attendee interviews and followed by a reception at the Angelika lounge with dessert and a cash bar.
The list of categories and nominees are as follows:
Best Picture
Ninjas Vs. Monsters
Suffering Cassandra
Roulette
The Long Term Side Effect
The Henchman's War
Ultrasonic
Day of The Gun
Best Director
Rohit Colin Rao - Ultrasonic
Erik Kristopher Myers - Roulette
Roberto Carmona - Suffering Cassandra
Wayne Shipley - Day of the Gun
Thick - Cheryl M. Brown/Anthony M. Greene
The Long Term Side Effect - Dannie Snyder
Best Documentary Feature
Dog Days
Married In Spandex
I Thought It Was Forever
Best Narrative Short
Peanut
The Writer's Dilemma
Settled
Heritage
The Lake
Best Documentary Short
Chinatown
Doing It For Me
Best Actor
Rick Kain - The Henchman's War
Sam Lukowski - Day of the Gun
Roberto Carmona - Suffering Cassandra
Greg Thompson - 6 Non-Smokers
Mike Baldwin - Roulette
Daniel Ross - Ninjas Vs. Monsters
Silas Gordon Brigham - Ultrasonic
Best Actress
Tracey Teague - The Haunting of Pearson Place
Haely Jardas - Suffering Cassandra
LaDon Hall - Day of the Gun
Tia Dae - Thick
Ali Lukowski - Roulette
Best Supporting Actor
Sheen Mercado - Suffering Cassandra
Jayme Bell - Rise of the Fellowship
Sam Repshas - Ultrasonic
Robert Leembruggen - The Henchman's War
Best Supporting Actress
Bette Cassatt - The Lake
Heather Rae Kirschenbauer - Suffering Cassandra
Cassandra Cate Buscher - Ultrasonic
Janice Gallant - The Nextnik
Pascale Piquion - Thick
Jane Petkofsky - The Henchman's War
Best Screenplay
Ninjas Vs Monsters
Day of the Gun
The Long Term Side Effect
Thick
Roulette
Suffering Cassandra
Best Original Score
Day of the Gun
Ultrasonic
Dog Days
Thick
Roulette
The Haunting of Pearson Place
Best Editing
Roulette
Dog Days
Ultrasonic
The Writer's Dilemma
Rise of the Fellowship
Day of the Gun
The Henchman's War
Best Cinematography
Settled
Suffering Cassandra
Thick
Day of the Gun
Ultrasonic
Roulette
The Haunting of Pearson Place
Best Sound Design
Settled
Day of the Gun
Ninjas Vs. Monsters
The Haunting of Pearson Place
Ultrasonic
Rise of the Fellowship
Best Visual Effects
Ninjas Vs. Monsters
Rise of the Fellowship
Day of the Gun
The Haunting of Pearson Place
Dog Days
Best Wardrobe
Day of the Gun
Rise of the Fellowship
Ninjas Vs. Monsters
The Haunting of Pearson Place
Best Make Up
The Haunting of Pearson Place
Day of the Gun
Roulette
Thick
Best Set Design
Day of the Gun
Thick
Roulette
The Haunting of Pearson Place