Here are the winners of the first annual Miami Vet Fest

Updated onOct 22, 2020

1 minute read

SUMMARY

The first annual Miami Vet Fest, a film festival created by Army veteran Bryan Thompson to showcase the work of veteran filmmakers, took place today. The event categories included

The first annual Miami Vet Fest, a film festival created by Army veteran Bryan Thompson to showcase the work of veteran filmmakers, took place today. The event categories included feature films, short films, documentaries, web series, and commercials.

The following films were nominated for awards. (Winners in each category indicated in bold.)

Best of the Fest

Winner: "Birthday"

"Birthday" is a short film about a severely wounded Marine and his wife coming home for the first time following months of surgeries and rehabilitation. It is a powerful, realistic and dignified depiction of what it is like for our severely wounded soldiers and their spouses as they face enormously difficult times ahead. "Birthday" is not pro-war and it is not anti-war; it is simply a tale of one injured Marine's circumstances based on the true stories of many of our wounded service members. While the film is an oftentimes heart-wrenching and difficult reality to watch, it is ultimately a celebration of marital solidarity and the human spirit.

Military Themed Scripted Short

Winner: "Day 39"

"Day 39" is the story of The Kid, a young American soldier on foot patrol in a remote region of Afghanistan.

When an Afghan grandmother, Zarmina, requests help from his platoon for a medical emergency, the Kid is sent into a dark mud hut to assist Doc, a seasoned medic, with a young pregnant woman who has gone into labor. The baby is breech and Doc and the Kid must take extreme measures to try and save the mother and child, despite cultural obstacles inside the hut, and unseen yet ever-present dangers outside.

Also nominated in this category: "This is War," "Ten Thousand Miles," and "Absent without Love."

Military Themed Web Series

Winner: "Black"

"Black" is a high-action web series crafted in the style of the feature film "Act of Valor," the highly successful video game franchise "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare," and the hit Fox Television series "24." The first season was shot over 5 days in two states for only $10,000. The series was created by writer/director Frank T. Ziede and features real military vets.

Also nominated in this category: "Drunken Debrief"

Military Themed Unscripted

Winner: "Reinforcements"

Also nominated in this category: "Letters: The Hero's Journey," "Steel Leaves," "Valor: Jack Ensch," "Valor: Ralph Rush," "The Captain: A Bond of Brotherhood," "We Answered the Call," "Normandy: A World Apart," "Return to Iwo Jima," and "Three Miles From Safety."

Veteran Created Production

Winner: "Please Hold"

"Please Hold" is a film about an Afghanistan and Iraq Combat Veteran named Jacob, who, while trying to pursue the next chapter in his life post-military service, is finding it incredibly difficult to get the help he needs in dealing with his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After serving four tours as a United States Marine in the Middle East; Jacob has come back home to find an apathetic society who seems almost oblivious to the true trials and tribulations that he and his fellow veterans experience in these seemingly never-ending wars. The film invites the audience on a journey that many veterans experience while interacting with different segments of our society as they try to reintegrate themselves back to a life they have long forgotten and depicts the hardships and frustrations that many veterans feel when they come back home.

Also nominated in this category: "To Those Who Serve," "Brody."

US Military Themed International

Winner: "Who's Afraid of the Big Black Wolf?"

In 1944, somewhere in occupied Central Europe, Who's Afraid of the Big Black Wolf tells the story of a multicultural triangle between a little shepherd and two officers from the opposite sides in a sensual and emotional Alpine story of two tunes and one whistle.

Military Themed Ad/PSA/Music Video

Winner: "Naptown Funk"

Also nominated in this category: "Marine Corp Energy Ethos," "Still Building a Legacy," and "Stand."

Miami Vet Fest was possible thanks to the support of the following sponsors:

We Are The Mighty is proud to be a part of the first annual Miami Vet Fest and to support veteran filmmakers.

For more information on the Miami Vet Fest, check out http://miamiwebfest.com/miami-vet-fest/.