Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor Screening Set for Gold Coast International Film Festival on October 24th, 2013 at 7:30PM at the Great Neck Arts Center

Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor follows five severely wounded Iraq/Afghanistan veterans who were given the opportunity to explore their experiences through the healing power of humor. The film charts their journey as they work with professional comedy writers, and A-List comedians: Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), Bob Saget (Full House), B.J. Novak (The Office), and Lewis Black (Lewis Black's Root of All Evil), who help them write and perform their own personal stand-up comedy routines. This exciting venture gives them new comedic perspectives from which to view their injuries and their lives, and culminates in one big night performing at LA's top Comedy Clubs.

Produced and Directed by John Wager, Produced by Ray Reo and Co-Produced by Bernadette Luckett, Comedy Warriors is a sponsored project ofFractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization; and is also supported by Wounded Warrior Project.

The five service members - four men and one woman - from the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts, with injuries ranging from burns to multiple amputations, were selected from numerous submissions to embark on this exciting new mission; stand-up comedy. With help from their own individual comedy writer mentors, and coaching from A-List comedians they were guided in creating their own routines, and fine-tuned until ready to perform at top clubs. You get to know each of the Comedy Warriors intimately, as we visit their hometowns and meet their families. Each of the warriors have his or her own poignant story to share, and it soon becomes clear how vital humor has been in their rehabilitation process. You witness how their sense of humor and learning stand-up gives them each a new kind of courage, and you see that by sharing their stories and laughing about their struggles with the audience, the emotional pain is lifted. The Comedy Warriors learn to disarm the stares and their struggles with humor, making both themselves and others more comfortable. The theme of triumph over obstacles prevails throughout this film, as the Comedy Warriors confess their darkest moments, and then embrace the power of their physical circumstances, creating joy and laughter in their lives.

To view the trailer: http://www.comedywarriors.com

For more information, visit

http://www.goldcoastfilmfestival.org