GI Film Festival San Diego ends with awards ceremony
By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The GI Film Festival San Diego came to a close Saturday with an awards celebration held at KPBS’ newly renovated building, The Conrad Prebys Media Complex at Copley Center.
Award winners were announced across 13 diverse categories, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Documentary Directed by Military or Veterans, and more. Honorees were selected from the festival lineup of 31 films, with 11 films and two actors taking home awards. In addition to the awards presentation, attendees also enjoyed a hosted pre-reception and post-presentation mix and mingle.
Returning as the event host was Thom Tran, a Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, musician, radio broadcaster, and U.S. military veteran and advocate.
“Being in a room full of other entertainers, veterans, and military allies for an evening to celebrate the art of filmmaking was an incredible experience,” says Tran. “Not only did we have an opportunity to hear from and honor the creators behind the award-winning films, but also showed our appreciation for the dozens of veterans that were in attendance. We are thankful to the San Diego filmmaking and military communities for the overwhelming support in celebrating films for, by, and about our veterans.”
Established in 2015, the GI Film Festival San Diego is a multi-day showcase of films for, by, and about military and veteran experiences. 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.
The 2023 GI Film Festival San Diego Award Winners are:
Best Narrative Short
“Brainstorms”
Directed by Aron Meinhardt and Julie Pacino
Best Comedy Short
“Hollywood Post 43’s Last Stand”
Directed by John Mendoza
Best Documentary Short
“Time for Change: The Kathy Bruyere Story”
Directed by Daniel Leonard Bernardi
Best Actress
Amber Rose Mason,
“Return to Remembrance”
Best Actor
Lawrence Adimora
“Brainstorms”
Best Student Film
“CHORUS”
Directed by Daniel J. Egbert
Best Documentary Directed by Military or Veterans
“The Gift”
Directed by David Kniess
Best Local Documentary
“Ultimate Sacrifices: CPT Jennifer Moreno”
Directed by Daniel Leonard Bernardi
Best Narrative Directed by Military or Veterans
“CHORUS”
Directed by Daniel J. Egbert
Local Choice Award
“Echoes of Resilience”
Directed by Alex Frey and Brady Ferdig
Best First-Time Feature Director
Andrea Patiño Contreras
“#IamVanessaGuillen”
Best Documentary Feature
“To What Remains”
Directed by Christopher Woods
Founders’ Choice Award
“Jerry’s Last Mission”
Directed by Louisa Merino
Honorable Mention: Founders’ Choice Award
“BY MY SIDE” Directed by Vicki Topaz & Wynn Padula
“Let’s Talk About The War” Directed by Nick Betts
“The Metalldetektor” Directed by Brendan Patrick Hughes
The GI Film Festival San Diego will return in May 2024. To stay updated on next year’s screening dates, visit GIFilmFestivalSD.org and follow the festival on social media.
