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SILVERDOCS to honor Albert Maysles

The Artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Barbara Kopple, Other Special Guests to Fete “Dean” of Documentary Filmmaking

Silver Spring, Maryland, April 28, 2009—AFI-Discovery Channel SILVERDOCS Documentary Festival today announced that it will honor Albert Maysles at the Charles Guggenheim Symposium, a centrepiece of the eight-day documentary festival which takes place in June just outside Washington, D.C. Maysles is widely recognized as a pioneer of “direct cinema” and regarded as one of America’s foremost non-fiction filmmakers. The Symposium, named after the late, four-time Academy Award winner Charles Guggenheim, honors a filmmaker who has mastered the power of documentary and inspires audiences with powerful explorations of the human experience.

“With a career spanning over five decades, Albert Maysles’ body of work covers the most iconic figures of our time and exemplifies Charles Guggenheim’s passion for his subjects and keen awareness of the importance of documentary in both capturing events and framing history,” said Sky Sitney, SILVERDOCS Artistic Director, “We are thrilled to recognize his vast contribution to cinema and the documentary form.”

Maysles has directed over 35 films and was the cinematographer on 64, creating (in collaboration with his late brother David and other filmmakers) some of the most influential and memorable non-fiction films ever produced. Three of his films reached cult status: SALESMAN (1968), capturing the bygone era of a door-to-door Bible salesman; GIMME SHELTER (1970), a powerful account of the Rolling Stones’ 1969 American tour culminating in their infamous free concert at the Altamont Speedway; and GREY GARDENS (1976), an intimate portrait of high society dropouts, Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, “Little Edie” - reclusive cousins of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis. THE GATES (2007) Maysles’ fifth collaboration with artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, co-directed by Antonio Ferrera, follows the artists for over two decades as they attempt to realize their dream of transforming New York City’s Central Park into an art piece. The film screened at SILVERDOCS in 2008. Maysles is currently in production on IN TRANSIT, SCAPEGOAT ON TRIAL and HANDHELD AND FROM THE HEART.

As part of the Symposium, SILVERDOCS will screen a series of excerpts from Maysles’ body of documentary work. Following the screening, Maysles will be joined by special guests to engage in a discussion of his career, including Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Barbara Kopple and other special guests. Past honorees include Barbara Kopple, who was joined by Maysles and Elvis Mitchell in 2004; Martin Scorsese, who engaged in conversation with Jim Jarmusch in 2006; Jonathan Demme, who was interviewed by NPR’s Michel Martin in 2007; and Spike Lee who was interviewed by The Denver Post’s Lisa Kennedy in 2008. More details will be released closer to the Festival.

About SILVERDOCS
AFI-Discovery Channel SILVERDOCS Documentary Festival is an eight-day internationally recognized event that honors excellence in filmmaking, supports the diverse voices and free expression of independent storytellers and celebrates the power of documentary to improve our understanding of the world. Now in its seventh year, the Festival runs June 15-22 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in the Washington, DC, area. The 2008 Festival featured 108 films from 63 countries presented to more than 25,000 attendees, including the influential audiences of the nation’s capital and media professionals from around the world. The concurrent five-day SILVERDOCS International Documentary Conference presents thought-provoking presentations and engages a diverse group of more than 1,000 filmmakers and media leaders concerned with the future of nonfiction storytelling, production and distribution. For more information, go to SILVERDOCS.com.

About the American Film Institute
AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. Additional information about AFI is available at AFI.com.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the world’s number-one non-fiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including www.HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28,2009

CONTACT:
Jody Arlington, 301.495.6759
jarlington@AFI.com

Tammy Shea, 240.662.6506
Tammy_Shea@discovery.com