World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar Mr. Kennedy, model Leeann Tweeden and television's Karri Turner, John Ratzenberger and Gil Gerard will be here May 15 as part of Washington's GI Film Festival and Wing Sports Day.
They will show the feature films “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century“ and “The Marine“ at the Stewart Theater and sign autographs at Geisboro Park pavilion as part of sports day.
Mr. Kennedy is with World Wrestling Entertainment. Tweeden is a veteran of several USO trips to Iraq. Turner played Navy Lt. Harriet Sims on “JAG,“ and Ratzenberger is perhaps best known for playing Cliff the postman on the hit NBC television series “Cheers.“
“The GI Film Festival is the first film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the American military through the medium of film,“ said Laura Law-Millett, festival director.
“We really wanted to bring films to one of the local military bases so we could connect directly with troops,“ said Brandon L. Millett, festival president. “And, of course, the Jimmy Stewart Theater provides a perfect venue for a film festival honoring men and women in uniform.“
“Given that Jimmy Stewart was both an actor and a military veteran, the Stewart Theater provides a perfect venue for the GI Film Festival,“ Millett said. “The theater reminds us of different days in Hollywood, when actors served in the military and thus better understood the quality and character of our men and women in uniform.“
The 11th Wing vice commander is encouraging maximum participation in the day's events. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of Wing Sports Day and the GI Film Festival,“ Col. Terry L. Ross said. “Enjoy the day by participating in athletics, watching a movie at the theater or getting an autograph.“
The movie schedule is:
“Buck Rogers“ at 9:30 a.m. and
“The Marine“ at noon.
Bolling is the only area military installation hosting the GIFF. Millett said they wanted to say “Thank you,“ to the military members for serving.
“First and foremost, because we're a film festival, we simply want to entertain the troops and provide for them a memorable experience,“ Millett said.
“A second objective is to get attendees at Bolling excited about the other festival activities going on at the Carnegie Institute over the weekend,“ Millett added. “In addition to world premier films and fan favorites, the festival will feature musical performances, panel discussions, and Hollywood meet and greets.“
Scheduled celebrity guests at GIFF at Carnegie include Gary Sinise, Robert Duvall and Stephen Baldwin, according to Millett.
The movies will be shown at the Stewart Theater, which is primarily a base conference center. Viewers will not be allowed to bring food or drink inside. Since it's also sports day, base officials ask all attendees who are participating in sports day not to attend if they are wearing clothing soiled in any way by athletic competition.
The festival runs May 14 through 18 at the Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1530 P St., N.W., Washington. It's three blocks east of DuPont Circle. A listing of all movies festival officials plan on showing is located at www.gifilmfestival.com⁄tickets08.html. Ticket prices to attend the festival in Washington vary, but military ID card holders receive a 20 percent discount.
E-Mail This Article
Print This Story