GI Film Festival San Diego Has ‘Something for Everyone’ in Diverse 2023 Film Lineup

From heart-wrenching documentaries to comedic shorts, the military-themed film festival offers a diverse selection of films that explore the military experience and celebrate our talented veteran filmmaker community.

Renowned filmmaker Ingmar Bergman said, “No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.”

Whether you enjoy the moving experience of watching a documentary or drama, or you prefer the levity that a comedy can provide, the lineup of 31 films at the 2023 GI Film Festival San Diego has something for everyone. The military-themed film festival is happening May 1520, and will bring active military, veterans, civilians and cinema lovers together at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park.

From serious to eccentric and everything in between, here’s a list of gems that you won’t want to miss in the 2023 GI Film Festival San Diego:

Nominated for Best Documentary Short and Founders’ Choice awards, “By My Side” is a 30-minute documentary directed by Vicki Topaz and Wynn Padula. This is an intimate portrait of three veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who ultimately find hope in the hearts of faithful service dogs. The veterans and their families share their experiences in their journeys from despair to hope. “BY MY SIDE” will make its world premiere on Friday, May 19 in the festival’s Doc Shorts block.

For audience members looking for a laugh, film director and military veteran John Mendoza takes viewers on a comedic journey through a zombie attack on Los Angeles in “Hollywood Post 43’s Last Stand.” Will the American Legion’s Hollywood Post 43 rally for the good of the region? Nominated for Best Comedy Short, this film will screen on Friday, May 19 in the Late Night Narrative Shorts block.

The documentary feature “Not My Enemy” will make its San Diego premiere at the GI Film Festival San Diego on Wednesday, May 17. In this film, African American director and choreographer Kehinde Ishangi seeks to uncover the truth about her absent father’s choices, only to reveal the real enemy as the Vietnam War. “Not My Enemy” paints a picture of the traumatic and dehumanizing impact of the Vietnam War through the experiences of African American soldiers. Nominated for Best First-Time Director, Nominated for Best

First-Time Director, in this film Ishangi examines the nightmare of combat, the deep psychological aftermath, and the effort to heal from these lifelong wounds.

Preceding “Not My Enemy” is the world premiere of “Welcome Home: Oscar’s Journey,” a documentary short that follows U.S. Army Ranger, Medic and Vietnam War veteran Oscar Bruno, and his trip from Chicago to Washington, D.C. where, after 50 years, he finally gets the emotional homecoming he always deserved. This 13-minute heartwarming film directed and edited by John Mogor will leave audience members in tears as they witness Oscar’s journey to healing.

Since 2015, the GI Film Festival San Diego has been a platform for military voices, experiences and talent. Organized by KPBS in partnership with Film Consortium San Diego, the festival has presented hundreds of films from national, international and San Diego area filmmakers and attracted thousands of audience members around the world.

“The Gentle Sex,” directed by John Adams and nominated for Best Comedy Short, depicts the story of Connie Brown (played by Dame Joan Collins), who for 45 years has lived a quiet life at the covert Stathie Manor in the English countryside where female secret agents trained during World War II. “The Gentle Sex” will make its San Diego premiere on Friday, May 19 in the Late Night Narrative Shorts block.

“Our advisory committee and event organizers curated a diverse lineup of films for all movie lovers. Whether you need a good laugh, cry, or to feel inspired, the GI Film Festival San Diego will deliver what you are looking for.”

The 2023 GI Film Festival San Diego box office is open at GIFilmFestivalSD.org. Tickets for most screenings start at just $8 for active military, veterans and KPBS members, and $10 for general admission. Secure your seat now for a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.

The first declaration of Decoration Day occurred on May 30, 1868, when Major Gen. John Logan declared the day would be a time to recognize those who lost their lives in the Civil War.

Several cities currently claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Macon and Columbus, Georgia, Richmond, Virginia, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, Waterloo, New York and Carbondale, Illinois.

The first large Decoration Day was held at Arlington National Cemetery that year. The ceremonies included mourning draping around the Arlington mansion of former Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant presided over the ceremonies, which included speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the Granddaughters of the American Revolution placing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves.

The Arlington tradition was built on longstanding ceremonies held throughout the South. Once of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss. on April 15, 1866, when a group of women decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers who died at the battle of Shiloh. Upon seeing the undecorated graves of Union soldiers who died in the battle, the women placed flowers at those headstones as well.

Memorial

Day has become the traditional kick off of summer, but the holiday has a much more significant purpose.

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the military. Among its traditions are ceremonies to honor those who lost their lives in service, with many people visiting cemeteries to place American flags on grave sites. A national moment of remembrance takes place across the country at 3 p.m. local time.

The purpose of Memorial Day is sometimes confused with Veterans Day. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day - commemorated on Nov. 11 each year - honors all those who have served in the U.S. military during times of war and peace. Armed Forces Day, which falls on May 20 each year, recognizes those who are currently serving in the military.

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day traces its roots to the tradition of Decoration Day, a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.

Memorial Day continued to be celebrated at local events until after World War I, which it was expanded to honor those who died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.

In 2000, Congress passed “The National Remembrance Act,” which encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.