Sneek Peak of Oceanside Int. Film Festival Free for Military

A special Military-Themed Screening Block preview of OceansideInternational Film Festival will take place 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Saturday, August 11, at Oceanside Library, downtown Civic Center branch, 330 North Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054. The event is free to military, veterans, and their families (with military ID & advance registration) and only $5.00 for general civilian public (with advance registration). The purpose of this three-hour film screening session is to give a sneak peek of the full four-dayOceanside Intl Film Festival, which will run a week after, from August 16 to 19, 2012. The organizers hope this Preview will entice film buffs from North County, especially Camp Pendleton marines and those from other San Diego military bases, to attend the main festival.

Another special reason for the Military Themed Screening Block Preview is to honor the military. Two military-oriented full length documentaries will be shown: “Flat Daddy” by Brooklyn filmmakers and “Voices of a Never Ending Dawn” from an Orange County filmmaker. The two films depict war eras separated by a century, but they strongly echo with each other on many topics. The first documentary is about the hardship U.S. military families suffer and their ways of coping with it in the modern days. The second one is about the hardship U.S. troops experienced during deployment in World War I and how their families courageously fought to bring them back from a mission gone wrong on a foreign soil. In fact, many in the audience will realize to their surprise, the second film is about one of the very first missions American troops had to fight “evil” abroad. As the first example in history of American warfare abroad to depose a roofless government as part of our country’s foreign policy, “Voices” will very much remind viewers of situations with Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Both films manifest that no matter what the cause is, the troops will be vigorously supported by common American citizens.

“Flat Daddy” is new film not yet available for purchase through DVD distribution companies. As a contestant of OIFF-2012, it will be screened again during the festival and up for an Audience Choice award nomination by general public. The producers of “Flat Daddy” are especially excited about OIFF because of the festival’s proximity to Camp Pendleton. “Flat Daddy” takes its name from the life-sized cardboard cutouts some military families employ to fill the void when a loved one is serving overseas, and the filmfollows four such families over the course of a year to explore the impact of war on those left behind. In a way, this film is an outreach program, because as troops return home in growing numbers to a stagnant economy and grapple with the physical and psychological tolls of their service, their families need our support more than ever.

“Voices of a Never Ending Dawn” is a special Guest Feature Film ofOceanside International Film Festival. This production has already seen its share of fame by firstly finding a DVD distribution deal and secondly by having been screened in front of millions of Americans on PBS. The writer, director, and producer of this documentary, Pamela Peek, will be presenting “Navigating Into PBS Network” workshop during OIFF’s main course. Thefilm tells an emotional story of men, officially designated the American North Russian Expeditionary Force and also known as "Detroit's Own" and "Polar Bears", who were sent by President Wilson to North Russia where they fought the Bolshevik Red Army from September 1918 through June 1919. Aside from its astonishing eye-opening educational content, this film has its own special mission: to ensure that heroic deeds of American troops are never forgotten, no matter what decade in history they occur. The described Polar Bear expedition has not received its proper recognition in our country. The filmmakers of “Voices of a Never Ending Dawn” are trying to change that.

For registration, attendants must select either $0.00 for military, veterans, and their families (with military ID) or $5.00 for general civilian public options at www.ocaf.info Advance $5 purchase or $0 registration is strongly recommended due to the max occupancy of 160 people. Walk-ins are welcome at the Library on the day of the event, but subject to seat availability.

Held in the second half of August, Oceanside International Film Festivalofficially kicks off a season of film festivals, which are held annually and continue through the Fall each year in San Diego County (until now nearly allfilm festivals in San Diego took place between September – November every year). The festival showcases narrative features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and student works from filmmakers who have not yet signed distribution agreements and look for recognition among wider audiences. Among the highlights of the festival will be its traditional red-carpet opening gala, recognition of the industry activists, and closing ceremonies with Best-In-The-Category honorary announcements, Best of Festival Trophy, and Audience Choice Award. Part of the four-day event will be OIFF’s educational workshops – all held off the Coast Hwy in Oceanside and within convenient proximity to the main screening venues.

For complete schedule of OIFF and admission pricing, visit their website:WWW.OCAF.INFO or OIFF Facebook page: www.facebook.com/likeOIFFTel: 760-433-3632, Email: OIFF@ocaf.info