Ed. Note: Just a note of thanks from everyone in the BIG family to Dan for his superb coverage of this invaluable festival.

In five short years G. I. Film Festival co-founder Brandon Millett, with his wife and fellow founder Major Laura Law-Millett have made Hollywood stand up and start to take notice of positive portrayals of America’s military men and women. “Gary Sinise was our first major Hollywood figure to support the festival. He was fresh off a plane from Iraq when he attended the first festival and I’ll never forget how gracious he was with all of our guests.”
Millett tells me appreciatively. “He was a big part of our success. Since then we’ve not only attracted top actors from Hollywood but directors, producers and studio executives. Two years ago we were contacted by both MGM and HBO to partner on several film screenings.”

Besides Gary Sinise’s annual appearance, he will host the Festival’s Congressional Reception, actors William Devane, Lou Diamond Phillips and Gigi Ernetta will also be in attendance.  Jonathan English, the English director of Ironclad, this year’s featured $25 million military epic, will take part in a Q & A during Friday’s day long Film Maker Boot Camp hosted by Festival Chairman Steve Bannon. The film also stars outstanding characters actors Paul Giamatti, Brian Cox and Derek Jacobi along with James Purefoy and Kate Mara. Ironclad is a historical action piece that takes place in the bloody aftermath of the signing of England’s ground breaking Magna Carta, that first granted rights to common Englishman. Think an English version of the Alamo.

Brandon Millett can’t say enough about former Naval officer Steve Bannon’s considerable help with the G. I. Film Festival over the last four years. “Because of Steve Bannon’s military background as well as being an award winning filmmaker and an expert in film finance and distribution, he really understands the quality and character of our men and women in uniform.”

(more…)

 What does it mean to be an Army Spouse during the War on Terror? In this edition of Profiles in Courage, we will take a look at one such Army Spouse story, that of Kim McNaughton, wife of Mike McNaughton.  

You have no doubt heard about the story of Mike McNaughton but how much thought have you put into what it must be like to be Mrs. Mike McNaughton? What she must have gone through when he deployed? When she heard the news of her husband’s incident, how did effect her family? How did her life change? 

Having not seen Mike since he deployed 7 months before, she knew that her life was about to change forever 

The most emotional experience in her life was the first time she saw Mike when he arrived to Walter Reed. With no idea of what to expect and how she would react when she saw him. Would her reaction make it harder for Mike? She knew she needed to be strong for him and the kids. How was she going to deal with it all? How would it affect the kids?  (more…)