'A Long March'

Making its return to the big screen is the GI Film Festival San Diego, a multi-day military-themed event dedicated to presenting films and events for, by and about military and veterans.

San Diego Premiere:
Three veterans trace their paths from war to erasure by the U.S. government. Winding through a seldom-told history of the Philippines, seized by the U.S. as a colony in 1899, through a 40-year stretch of lethal imperialist policies, Celestino Almeda, Rudy Panaglima and Feliciana Reyes find themselves inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII. After their service, Congress declares them, and hundreds of thousands more, to be “not on active duty.” These veterans are denied back pay, GI benefits and promised citizenship. From 1946-1948 the U.S. Army further disenfranchises these veterans by reconstructing rosters of service which also secretly refuse to recognize the service of women. Today, Celestino, Rudy and Feliciana represent the tens of thousands of elderly veterans who remain unacknowledged despite their evidence of service. As judicial solutions hit a brick wall and all eyes turn to Congress, this documentary asks the hard questions: Will America stand up for the values it claims? Will these veterans get the recognition they deserve before they are all dead? The plight of these veterans unfolds alongside interviews with family members, legal, legislative, and military advocates, archival footage, and 3D animation of rediscovered WWII art.

Directed by Tammy Botkin. Documentary. English. Subtitled. 2021. 82 mins.

Get tickets for "A Long March" screening on May 18, 2022 at 5 p.m.

More about GI Film Fest:

This year’s film festival is scheduled for May 17-21, 2022 with all screenings happening in-person at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park. The 2022 festival features 27 films for, by, and about military and veterans. Virtual options are available.

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A project of KPBS, 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 struggles, triumphs, and experiences of service members and veterans. The festival also provides veterans and service members with an opportunity to further their creative skills.

Documentaries, shorts, narratives, and feature-length films are presented. Post-screening discussions with filmmakers, actors and documentary subjects are also part of the festival. This event takes place annually in May and is open to veterans, service members, military families, and civilians. All are welcome to catch a film, be inspired, and build community.

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