Jim Kouri
Robert Duvall, Gary Sinise, Hollywood Stars to Celebrate American GIs at Film Festival
By Jim Kouri, CPP
May 8, 2008 - 11:22:16 AM

Gary Sinise and Robert Duvall will lead a star-studded festival to be held May 14-18, 2008 at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC.

Overall, the five-day festival will present both classic and premier films honoring the nation's men and women in uniform. For the full festival agenda, or to request media credentials, visit www.gifilmfestival.com. Scheduled events include:

• Film screenings presented by award-winning Hollywood actors and directors. Scheduled presenters include Gary Sinise, Robert Duvall, Stephen Baldwin, Ron Maxwell, and Lou Reda, to name a few.
• 24 military film premiers featuring the work of promising new filmmakers.
• A congressional reception honoring members of Congress who served in the military.
• The presentation of the "Corporate Patriot Award," to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for the company's philanthropic work on behalf of the American Armed Forces.
• A "WWE Action Fest" at Bolling Air Force Base featuring a WWE autograph session with WWE Superstar Mr. Kennedy followed by a screening of WWE's The Marine and a special presentation by former Buck Rogers television actor Gil Gerard.
• Panel discussions, including The 100 Greatest War Films of All-Time, War Stories, Faith in the Foxhole, and The Portrayal of GIs in Film and the Media.
• VIP after parties featuring celebrities, top military brass, and filmmakers.
• A three-day, onsite exhibit where visitors can learn about veteran service organizations.
• Special appearances by: John Ratzenberger, Dale Dye, Karri Turner, Leeann Tweeden, James McEachin, General Richard Myers, General George  Casey, General Richard Cody, The Honorable Dan Glickman, and many more.

"Our mission is simple: To honor the successes and sacrifices ofAmerican GIs through the medium of film. Some of the films will be fanfavorites. Others will be screened for the first time. All will, in someway, honor the courage and selflessness of our fighting men and women,"said GI Film Festival President Brandon Millett.

"The GI Film Festival is acan't-miss event for anyone who wants to watch great military films, meetHollywood stars and support the troops." The GI Film Festival is the first and only film festival dedicated tothe American military. GI Film Festival 2007, held Memorial Day Weekend2007, received the George Washington Medal from the Freedom's Foundationfor the festival's "exceptional work...promoting an understanding andappreciation for our country's rich heritage and unique freedoms."Moreover, one GI Film Festival 2007 premier, Operation Homecoming, was afinalist for the Academy Award for "Best Feature Documentary."

Ticket prices range from $5 per event to $300 for an all-accessfestival pass, which includes access to all festival events and celebritycocktail receptions, as well as VIP seating for all events. GI Film Festival media partners include: The Military History Channel,The Discovery Military Channel, WUSA-9, WMAL, The Weider History Group, The Washington Times, The Hill Newspaper, and Military.com.

GI Film Festival sponsors include: World Wrestling Entertainment, USAA,Sikorsky, American Airlines, Bank of America, Genius Products, TriWestHealthcare Alliance, and the Motion Picture Association of America. For more information, please visit www.gifilmfestival.com. VIP festivalpasses and single event tickets now on sale.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he's the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund's weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.

He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com. He's also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri's own website is located at http://jimkouri.us.