GI Film Festival San Diego 2026: Narrative Shorts Block
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This collection of shorts explores a range of human emotions and cinematic styles, from experimental to animation, period drama to present day narratives. Films include “This Is My Rifle,” “ALMOST HOME,” “The Craftsman,” “Life Begins,” “CINDY,” and “Veterano.”
"This Is My Rifle"
Directed by Brad Bingham
A combat Marine turns to spoken word to confront guilt and grief, transforming his memories of war into raw performance in search of healing.
"ALMOST HOME"
Directed by Menhaj Huda
A decorated Muslim-American Marine battles his inner demons, prejudice, and a fractured sense of identity as he seeks self-discovery from the haunting memory of a life-altering event at war.
"The Craftsman"
Directed by Devin Scott
Blending artificial intelligence with traditional storytelling, this short, animated Pixar style film explores the quiet legacy of a man whose hands told stories louder than words—offering a moving tribute to the power of reinvention, generational memory, and art born from history.
"Life Begins"
Directed by Oleksii Taranenko
A war veteran struggles to readjust to civilian life after participating in fierce battles.
"CINDY"
Directed by Al Chang
A struggling writer takes an overnight driving job and is drawn into a series of strange late-night encounters alongside a woman whose work remains quietly enigmatic. Over the course of one unusual evening, confusion gives way to vulnerability, forcing him to confront what he’s been avoiding — and revealing how one unexpected encounter can leave a lasting impression.
"Veterano"
Directed by Patrick Epino
A Filipino World War II veteran with nothing left to lose dusts off his past and his pistol for one last mission in 1981 San Francisco.
Part of KPBS' America 250 initiative
About The Festival: The event takes place May 6-8, 2026 in San Diego, during Military Appreciation Month. All community members, civilians, family, allies, service members, veterans and film lovers are welcome to catch a film, be inspired, and build community.
The festival is organized by KPBS in partnership with the Film Consortium San Diego.
Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA @ SDMA) in Balboa Park
The mission of the Museum of Photographic Arts is to inspire, educate and engage the broadest possible audience through the presentation, collection, and preservation of photography, film and video. Since its founding in 1983, the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) has been devoted to collecting, conserving and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. The museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical and social issues through its exhibitions and public tours. The Museum of Photographic Arts is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member-supported, private, non-profit institution. Additional support for museum programs is provided in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation, the Weingart-Price Fund, the San Diego Foundation, Patrons of the Prado and the National Endowment for the Arts. MOPA is located in Balboa Park in the Casa De Balboa building, east of the main traffic circle and central fountain. Gallery Admissions: MOPA has a pay-what-you-wish admission policy. Recommended pricing is $8 adults $7 seniors and retired military $6 students FREE to members, active military & dependents, and children 12 & under FREE to school groups with advanced reservation San Diego Residents' Free Tuesdays San Diego City and County residents and all active military members get in FREE, every second TUESDAY of the month. Please bring your ID. Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Sunday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Summer Hours: Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through the summer. Closed: Mondays, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Holiday Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Includes: President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve)
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