By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–This year, the GI Film Festival San Diego commemorates a decade of presenting films for, by, and about military service members and veterans.
The 10th annual military-themed film festival returns May 7 to 9 at the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park.
Over the last decade, the film festival has become a trusted destination where service members and veterans feel their stories are honored and truthfully represented, fostering understanding, respect, and community in the San Diego region through the power of authentic military storytelling and cinema. Each year, the festival showcases a diverse selection of films that highlight not only service members and veterans but also caregivers, spouses, and children—emphasizing that military service is a family commitment.
Since 2015, the military-themed film festival has presented over 238 films created by international, U.S., and San Diego County filmmakers, drawing in diverse audiences totaling more than 13,000 guests. Additionally, throughout its history in D.C. and San Diego, the GI Film Festival has welcomed notable personalities, including documentarians Ken Burns and Ric Burns, General (Ret.) Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the late US Senator John McCain, actors Gary Sinise, Glenn Close, Matthew Marsden, Lou Diamond Phillips, Joe Mantegna, George Takei, and Jeffrey Wright.
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since we brought the GI Film Festival to San Diego,” says Jodi Cilley, founder and president, of Film Consortium San Diego. “While much has changed since the inaugural festival, our mission remains the same, which is to honor service member and veteran stories and bring together military allies, civilians, and cinema lovers under one roof to learn what it really means to serve. I’m proud to say that we have built a strong community that celebrates authentic military storytelling and provides a space for service members and veterans to share their experiences, talents, and love for filmmaking.” The Film Consortium San Diego has been a trusted partner of the GI Film Festival San Diego since its inception.
Three days of films that recognize, reveal, and remember service members and veterans.
This year’s lineup features 16 films that showcase stories from WWII, the Vietnam War, the Global War on Terror, the fall of Afghanistan, and peacetime training. Themes also include deported veterans, post-traumatic stress (PTS), the impact of service on families, spouses, and children, as well as mental health. Notably, the festival includes a film about the Montford Point Marines, the first African American men to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, who not only transcended enemy lines but also overcame barriers of racial segregation (“Triumph Over Prejudice: The Montford Point Marines”). Another film explores how Hollywood’s leading filmmakers contributed to America’s victory through their heroic service in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Field Photographic Branch (“Filming Under Fire: John Ford’s OSS Field Photo Branch”). Additionally, this year’s Opening Night film, “SHEEPDOG,” is a narrative feature that follows decorated U.S. Army combat veteran Calvin Cole on his journey to trauma recovery. Every year, the GI Film Festival San Diego also showcases films by military service members on non-military themes, and this year’s selection includes films on vampires, LGBTQIA+ stories, and mental health within the Pacific Islander community.
Of the 16 films, three are feature-length, 13 are shorts, and five have a San Diego connection. Seven films were made by or feature service members or veterans, three are student films, and five were directed by women. There are also three returning filmmakers, including Devin and Jeanne Scott who participated in the GI Film Festival San Diego in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024, and Daniel Bernardi who participated in the 2023 festival.
Each year, the films selected for the GI Film Festival San Diego reveal the struggles, triumphs, and experiences of service members, veterans, and their loved ones, as well as highlight lived experiences rather than institutional narratives or civilian interpretations of war typically seen on the big screen. By challenging preconceptions about service and offering multidimensional portrayals of veterans, service members, caregivers, and families, the GI Film Festival San Diego provides a platform for filmmakers of all backgrounds and skill levels to present their unique stories through the cinematic arts.
Since its inception, the festival has successfully bridged the military-civilian gap by creating greater awareness of what it means to serve to help audiences better understand the true military experience.
In addition to film screenings, the festival hosts panel discussions with filmmakers, actors, documentary subjects, and subject-matter experts after each screening. These discussions allow audience members to ask questions, and reinforce the festival’s mission to expand the definition of service, break down stereotypes, and highlight the breadth of experiences within the military community.
From the beginning, the GI Film Festival San Diego has provided a space for audiences and filmmakers to connect, fostering a sense of shared understanding and camaraderie. This camaraderie, familiar to service members and veterans alike, serves as a poignant reminder that while at the GI Film Festival San Diego they are not alone. The festival is a place where new filmmakers are excited to have their work featured and past filmmakers return, and attendees look forward to it year after year. The festival is a vital platform for appreciating the art of film and understanding both present-day and historical events that shape our lives and country.
The screenings at the GI Film Festival San Diego are open to all. Attendees can secure tickets for individual screenings or multi-ticket packs to attend multiple screenings. Tickets for most screenings will start at $15 each, or $10 for military and veterans. Because some films may cover sensitive topics, organizers recommend screening guests to be at least 18 years of age.
For up-to-date information on the 2025 film festival, how to attend, and ways to get involved, visit GIFilmFestivalSD.org.
Established in 2015 and now celebrating 10 years, 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, veteran,s and their families. The festival also provides veterans and service members with an opportunity to further their creative skills.
