San Diego City College Film, TV and Journalism students attended the short documentary film screening on Thursday May 8, as part of a three-day, military-focused GI Film Festival at the Museum of Photographic Art in Balboa Park.
The 10th annual San Diego-based film festival showcased five short documentaries that covered a range of topics and emotions felt by service members in combat areas during World War II, the Vietnam War and the longest war in U.S. history, Afghanistan.
This collaboration between the Film Consortium San Diego and KPBS sold out to community members and students alike, who packed the seats for the second night documentary screening.
Students like City College film major and Navy veteran David Lona who found a connection through making and producing films.
“I’ve been trying to find where I fit in,” Lona said. “Right now, film has been a pretty good fit for me. It’s been great to be in that kind of environment.”
Adjunct professor Jodi Cilley hopes more students like Lona will be introduced to the world of filmmaking. As the Film Consortium founder, Cilley strives to connect the City College and the San Diego veteran population with the GI Film Festival.
“One thing that I felt across the 10 years of this, the more we engage the next generation into this, then we always grow,” Cilley said. “That’s why it’s great to have 47 students from City College here tonight. These stories are super important in a city filled with veterans and active duty service members.”
This year’s “Doc Block” featured multiple short documentary films including the intimate story of two retired World War II veterans who retold their experience flying together in “Return Engagement” directed by Trent Jones.
In its poignant world premiere, “The End of the Longest War” director Sydney Sheng shares the grief and shock her brother experienced during the last days before the United States abandoned its war in Afghanistan in 2021.
The film follows the first-hand account of Marine Corporal Trevor Sheng, who delivered an unfiltered look at the evacuation of Kabul. Using GoPro footage and with the help of his sister, Sheng hoped to honor those who died and show the world what actually happened during the chaotic withdrawal.
“It’s a story about healing,” Sydney Sheng said. “We both thought it was important to honor the soldiers who lost their lives and all the Afghans who lost their lives in the explosion and evacuation.”
Sheng reflected on the difficulties working on such a personal film and one that addresses many issues service members face, such as loss and trauma.
“It was really difficult,” Sheng said. “I’ve never cried when I edited at home. It was a very interesting experience having to constantly watch it back. I thought I would grow numb to it but even seeing it today, I’m tearing up.”
Art, and film especially, create a space for artists to unravel difficult stories. The GI Film Festival delivers thought-provoking content, both portrayed in the stories of our service members and the journey the film creators embark on to make sure these voices are heard and seen.
“It’s not just about the military stories,” Cilley said. “It’s also about encouraging veterans to come out of the military that want to get into entertainment and supporting them.”
City College veteran students have support and resources available to them from the Veterans Service Center. Students can find out more information about the film or production courses available from the FJMP department.
Edited by Bailey Kohnen, Danny Straus
