How to Attend the GI Film Festival (GIFF)

The GI Film Festival (GIFF) began in 2007. This film festival features films that celebrate the American military forces and the global pursuit for freedom. The GI Film Festival (GIFF) exhibits new and old films and includes panel discussions with journalists, soldiers and filmmakers. Appearances are also made by notable actors and directors. The first GI Film Festival (GIFF) was held over Memorial Day weekend, but dates for subsequent film festivals are subject to change.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tickets

1. Make travel plans to visit Washington, D.C. The DC Metro area is served by three major airports including Reagan National Airport, Dulles International, and Baltimore/Washington International.
2. Consult the schedule for the GI Film Festival (GIFF) to determine what you want to see and when (see Resources below). The festival lasts 4 days and features a host of different films and events.
3. Purchase tickets for the films and events you would like to attend on the GI Film Festival website (see Resources Below). Tickets are available for individual screenings and discussions as well as for full-day passes. VIP packages are also available.
4. Attend the festival. While purchasing tickets for screenings and events you want to attend is recommended, some tickets may be available for certain events at the door. Events and screenings that feature celebrity presenters and panelists are the most likely to sell out.
5. Make a donation to the GI Film Festival to support the goal of increasing awareness for veterans' issues and paying tribute to the sacrifices for the Armed Forces. Donations are tax-deductible because the festival is a non-profit organization.
6. Sign up to volunteer at the festival. The festival is always looking for volunteers to help the events run smoothly. Volunteers are often rewarded by getting to sit in on screenings and other events for free.

Tips & Warnings

• The GI Film Festival (GIFF) is open to filmmakers of all levels of expertise. If you have a film you would like to submit to the festival that fits in with the festival's theme and message, you can submit it online (see Resources below).
• The location of the festival can change from one year to the next. Be sure to check where the festival is being held before you plan to attend.