Sarasota Film Festival Launches Veteran's Filmmaking Academy With Their First Documentary Short RETURNING

The Sarasota Film Festival announces the launch of their newly established Veteran's Filmmaking Academy completed in collaboration with Project Rebirth. Local veteran's Rae Chapman, Eddie Cacciola, Mike Scelia and Jeff Garner participated in making the first documentary short RETURNING with instruction from Shaun Greenspan and Ed Fagan of Triforce Pictures and Director Jason Benjamin (SUITED). The film will make its world premiere at this years festival at the Sarasota Opera House on Tuesday, April 4th at 6:30PM.

RETURNING explores the impact of Veteran's Treatment Court and peer counseling on veteran rehabilitation, and reintegration into civilian life after deployment. The film was directed and produced by the inaugural class. The film academy offers programs that are designed exclusively for veterans interested in the art of filmmaking in any capacity.

"After working with the Veterans Filmmaking Academy, it is clear to me that military veterans excel at teamwork, pay close attention to detail and have a tireless work ethic. These are all qualities essential in filmmaking but more importantly these veterans have significant points of view developed as a result of their military experiences," said Jason Benjamin, director of SUITED "The Veterans Filmmaking Academy is a perfect way for veterans to use their skills and share their voice."

"Veteran's are an active part of the Sarasota community and we wanted to create a way for them to be involved in the filmmaking process that would teach them a skill and allow them to express themselves creatively," said Mark Famiglio, President of the Sarasota Film Festival. "Because of our sponsors and the collaboration with Project Rebirth we are able to provide this program to local veteran's free of charge."

STUDENT BIOS

Eddie Cacciola was born and raised in Philadelphia, where at an early age his grandfather, John, introduced him to what would become a lifelong passion: motorcycle racing. Working in and around the motorcycle industry for most of his life, things suddenly changed in the wake of 9/11. One week later, Eddie joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as a Combat Engineer during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Upon completion of his service and returning home in 2008, he decided to relocate to Sarasota, FL where he discovered a new passion: helping Veterans. He has since founded the 501 (c)3 nonprofit "SRQ VETS", and continues to volunteer his time to assist other veterans organizations and help fellow veterans one-on-one as much as possible. Eddie is a tireless advocate, and a dedicated father to his son, Shawn, an aspiring actor.

Rae Chapman served a combined 23 years in the Marine Corps on active duty and in the Marine Corps Reserves. She began her career as an enlisted "private" and retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel. She is a veteran of Desert Storm and was mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, in addition to numerous deployments in the combat zones of the Middle East. Currently, Rae serves as the Community Employment Coordinator for the Bay Pines VA Health Care System. Her primary duty is developing employment networks and community resources for unemployed and underemployed veterans, homeless veterans, and veterans at risk of homelessness. Rae holds a Master's Degree in Applied Psychology from Texas A&M University.

Michael Scelia hails from upstate New York. Four years ago, he moved to the Tampa Bay area after five years of service as a US Army Forward Observer in the Iraq War. While in service, Michael spent two years as an M1 Abrams Tanker. Since leaving the US Army, he has fostered a deep passion for creative expression, and is currently earning a degree in illustration from Ringling College of Art and Design. Michael is a proud father and devoted husband.

Jeff Garner grew up in Southgate, MI and attended Eastern Michigan University to study Criminal Justice. While at EMU he enlisted into the Army Reserve where he served as an Administrative specialist with the 300th Military Police Command in Inkster, MI. Jeff graduated from EMU in 1998 with a BS in Criminal Justice and went on to work in law enforcement in Dearborn, MI. He was honorably discharged from the Army Reserve in March of 2003. After a short break in service he made the decision to enlist on active duty as a military police soldier in September of 2005. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC with the 118th Military Police Company (ABN) after a reclassification course at Fort Leonard Wood in MO. During his time at Ft Bragg he was deployed in support of OIF 06 and 07 from June 2006 to September 2007, where he trained Iraqi police in Baghdad. Sergeant First Class Garner has been honorably serving as a Recruiter since January of 2009, and obtained his Master of Science in Justice Studies from Southern New Hampshire University in March 2013.

ABOUT THE VETERANS FILMMAKING ACADEMY

The Sarasota Film Festival in collaboration with NY-based resilience resource for community leaders, Project Rebirth, are proud to present the Veteran's Filmmaking Academy (VFA). The VFA provides a unique opportunity for veterans from the region to learn every aspect of documentary filmmaking -from theory to applied practice- culminating in the world premiere of a short documentary created, directed, and produced by the students.

The VFA is the only program of its kind that simultaneously provides veterans with the tools to express themselves and hone their creative voices, while also teaching valuable trade skills that leave VFA alums prepared to work on any film set, in any position of the film crew. It incorporates elements of art-therapy and peer-counseling, while providing a top-rate technical course in the art of documentary filmmaking. The program is offered free of charge to all who enroll.

For ticket information go to sarasotafilmfestival.com

ABOUT PROJECT REBIRTH, INC.

The not-for-profit Project Rebirth uses its suite of films, including the Peabody Award-winning documentary Rebirth, and the talents of its diverse team to create unique programs and educational products for first responders, veterans, educators, community leaders, and anyone struggling with trauma and loss.

Project Rebirth Facebook: @ProjectRebirth

Project Rebirth Twitter: @ProjectRebirth

Project Rebirth's veteran program Project Cohort: http://www.projectrebirth.org/project-cohort

ABOUT THE SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL

Held annually in Sarasota, FL, The Sarasota Film Festival emphasizes the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and

events, with more than 250 films screened each year including features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly picks. Entering our 19th year, we're proud to bring the best new and veteran independent filmmakers to our Festival with local and kid-friendly programs that showcase our idyllic Gulf Coast community. This year the festival will take place March 31st-April 9th, 2017.