The GI Film Festival's first-ever variety show will include music, movies, celebrity guests and, for one audience member, a trip to the Big Apple to see one of the year's most-anticipated military films.
The "Cinematic Salute to the Troops," set for May 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., will feature appearances by Judd Nelson ("The Breakfast Club," "Suddenly Susan") and Tom Berenger, the star of "Platoon," "Gettysburg" and many more military movies.
Berenger will receive the festival's GI Choice Award at the event. Both Nelson and Berenger provided voices for "Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam," an HBO documentary that film critic Roger Ebert called one of the 10 best movies of 1988.
All ticket buyers for the show will be eligible to win two passes to the New York City premiere of "Dunkirk," courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. The film, directed by Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight," "Inception"), tracks the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Allied troops from the European continent to Great Britain in the early stages of World War II. The ensemble cast includes Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hardy.
The New York City trip includes flight and lodging for the lucky audience member and guest. The movie hits theaters July 21.
Along with the giveaway and the Hollywood stars, the show will include a musical performance from Ayla Brown ("American Idol") and three short films.
Tickets for "Cinematic Salute for the Troops" range from $35 standing-room-only admission to premium packages that include table service. They are available here.
"We've packed this Cinematic Salute with everything that makes the GI Film Festival so special and unforgettable," GI Film Festival co-founder and chairman Brandon Millett said in a news release announcing the salute's lineup. "When you bring together real heroes, amazing movies, and celebrities who have a big heart for the troops, magic just happens."
More information on the festival, now in its 11th year, is available at MilitaryTimes.com/gifilmsor the
. Military Times is a sponsor of the festival.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
