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Help GI Film Fest Destroy Veteran Stereotypes

Help GIFF foster a positive image for the troops by hiring a veteran for the festival staff.

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Help GI Film Fest Destroy Veteran Stereotypes

Help GI Film Fest Destroy Veteran Stereotypes

Help GI Film Fest Destroy Veteran Stereotypes

Help GI Film Fest Destroy Veteran Stereotypes

Help GI Film Fest Destroy Veteran Stereotypes

Help GIFF foster a positive image for the troops by hiring a veteran for the festival staff.

Help GIFF foster a positive image for the troops by hiring a veteran for the festival staff.

Help GIFF foster a positive image for the troops by hiring a veteran for the festival staff.

Help GIFF foster a positive image for the troops by hiring a veteran for the festival staff.

laura
laura
laura
laura
1 Campaign |
Arlington, VA, United States
$3,290 USD 33 backers
13% of $25,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
Hi, I'm Laura. I grew up in a military family as an Army brat and served in the Army and Army reserves. After seeing too many movies portray veterans in a very negative light, I decided to do something about it. Together with my husband, Brandon, I started the GI Film Fest, (aka "Sundance for the Troops,") which helps veterans tell their stories and be heard. This is a big mission! And we can't do it alone. We need to hire another veteran for our team to help expand our programs. Will you help?

Summary

Who We Are: 

My name is Laura and I am the co-founder of the GI Film Festival. I spent 18 years as an Army brat and 14 years in the Army and Army reserve with multiple overseas deployments.  If you are like me, you may find it hard, given our backgrounds, that there are still people in the country who don't know much, if anything about the military. All they know is what they see through film and television.  

And when film and television programs get us wrong -- and they often do -- this causes real suffering to veterans returning home. This is why we started the GIFF:  to tell stories which show the courage, honor, and sacrifice of those who serve. Together with a great group of volunteers, and some amazing people of influence in the military and entertainment industry, we are making a difference for our veterans.  The GI Film Festival is one-of-a-kind, award-winning, and a voice for veterans on the cultural landscape.

What We Do: 

GIFF hosts the award-winning GI Film Festival DC, GI Film Festival San Diego, and multiple military base road shows which focus on movies and television shows that show the real-life successes and sacrifices of military veterans. GIFF also produces film and television programming, markets and distributes film content, trains military veteran filmmakers in the business side of entertainment, and produces film therapy programs for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress.

What People Say: 

Gary Sinise described GIFF as the "go-to place" for military themed- programming. Michelle Monaghan said GIFF was "the most profound experience of my entire career." Jeff Ross said GIFF was the "coolest film festival in the world."

But perhaps the most rewarding comments about GIFF come from its filmmakers. Gary Mortensen, director of the the GIFF film Shepherds of Helmand, once wrote, "GIFF transcends the world of film festivals by creating a true community where passionate filmmakers, our veterans and those who support them can gather for a few magical days to educate, heal and preserve the legacies of our veterans.  Every city in America should experience what they have built.” (That's our goal,Gary!)

 

Where We Are Going: 

Here's the deal. There are so many opportunities to expand GIFF's programs and influence, but as currently organized (with our merry band of part-timers and volunteers) we do not have the staff to pursue them. We plan to hire another veteran to come on board  who can help GIFF stay alive and thrive on the cultural landscape. We also plan to expand our veteran training programs to help military storytellers get their films and television programs into the marketplace. 

That's where you come in!

 

What You Can Do:

 I'm asking for your help today - to help us set things right. Help veterans see their stories on TV. Help veterans transition to a nation who understands them. To make these hires and expand our programs we seek $25,000 in funding.

In exchange - you can get some cool perks - like seeing your name in on the big screen!  Sharing the stage with celebrities!  Or getting a cool video from a celebrity who is saying thank you!

The Impact

The impact of your donation will be immense! Just look at how far GIFF has come in its first decade! GIFF has led the effort to change the narrative for veterans in entertainment by ushering hundreds of positive stories into the marketplace. We've also made inroads into Hollywood, helping studios, producers and directors better understand the quality and character of our service-members. With just a little more help, we'll be able to ensure that GIFF can remain on the cultural landscape while providing services to our military veteran community.

 

Other Ways You Can Help

I understand that times may be tight for you and your family right now.  That's okay - we have all been there.  However, even if you can't contribute financially, you can still help in other ways.

  • Be a champion for the GI Film Festival campaign - share our campaign on FB, Twitter, Instagram - wherever you connect with people.
  • Sign up for our newsletter to keep abreast of all things GI Film Festival: http://gifilmfestival.com/newsletter/
  • Like us on Facebook - /gifilm and follow us on twitter @gifilm.

Thank you so much for your support!  We sincerely appreciate your help!

 

 

 

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Choose your Perk

Virtual Wall of respect

$5 USD
Your name will go on our website page dedicated to honoring our supporters who have helped us transition into the next decade. You may also donate in memory of or in honor of someone who know who has served.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
3 claimed

Personalized postcard

$10 USD
We will handwrite and mail a postcard sharing our sincerest thank you for your support. Everyone loves mail! And you can receive all of the perks below this level.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 claimed
Ships worldwide.

GIFF T-shirt

$35 USD
A soft cotton exclusive GIFF t-shirt will be shipped to you to add to your growing collection. And you can receive all of the perks below this level.
Estimated Shipping
March 2017
13 claimed
Ships to United States of America

Name in official fest. program

$100 USD
Get your name preserved for eternity in the 2017 official festival program. Program copies will be shipped to you after the event. Be the envy of all of your friends and family when they see your names in ink - forever commemorated as a festival supporter. And you can receive all of the perks below this level.
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
3 claimed

Physical Wall of Respect

$250 USD
A physical sign will be set up during the May 2017 film festival with the name and rank of your active duty service member or veteran (living or deceased) that you want us to honor. Multiple photos will be taken by this sign. And you can receive all of the perks below this level.
0 claimed

Celebrity Video thank you

$500 USD
We will make a fun video and that will have a celebrity giving you a special thank you shout out to everyone at this level. And you can receive all of the perks below this level.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 claimed

Critics Corner Member

$1,000 USD
Be a festival film judge for the 2017 film festival. View festival short films early via online access and share your vote on who should take home the "Critics Award." And you can receive all of the perks below this level.
1 out of 50 of claimed

Your name on the big screen!

$5,000 USD
See your name on the big screen as it plays before every screening event at the GI Film Festival in DC May 2017 as a special thank you. And all the perks in the categories below.
Estimated Shipping
May 2017
0 out of 25 of claimed

Party Like a Movie Producer

$10,000 USD
Get a chance for you and 10 of your closest friends to attend a VIP invitation only intimate party at the May 2017 film festival. Plus you will receive a GI Film Festival poster- signed by all the festival celebrity guests to keep and hang in your wall of fun memories. And you can receive all of the perks below this level.
Estimated Shipping
May 2017
0 out of 10 of claimed

Present award at the festival

$25,000 USD
You can help present an award on stage at the 2017 Festival in Washington DC. VIP pass to festival included. (travel is not included). Help honor filmmakers who are making a difference and join us on the red carpet to the award show at the GI Film Festival. Who knows, you may get to share the spotlight with a celebrity or two! And you can receive all of the perks below this level.
Estimated Shipping
May 2017
0 out of 5 of claimed
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