| News & Links | AFI-DISCOVERY CHANNEL SILVERDOCS DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL PRESENTS FREAKONOMICS AS OPENING NIGHT FILM SILVERDOCS

AFI-DISCOVERY CHANNEL SILVERDOCS DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL PRESENTS FREAKONOMICS AS OPENING NIGHT FILM

Filmmakers Alex Gibney, Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing in Attendance

Silver Spring, Maryland, June 21, 2010—AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival presents Magnolia’s FREAKONOMICS to open the eighth annual festival. FREAKONOMICS is based on Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner’s bestselling book, Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Exposes the Hidden Side of Everything, and is directed by a “dream team” of documentary filmmakers, including Alex Gibney (TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE), Morgan Spurlock (SUPER SIZE ME), Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing (JESUS CAMP), Eugene Jarecki (WHY WE FIGHT) and Seth Gordon (THE KING OF KONG).

The book famously applied statistics and incentives to analyze human behaviors, which yielded surprising and controversial conclusions that years of psychology and moral philosophy had yet to reveal. In the film, Alex Gibney looks behind the fragile façade of Sumo wrestling and exposes uncomfortable truths about this ancient and revered sport; Morgan Spurlock examines the consequences of a name, and whether being dubbed Sheniqua, Tripp, or Moon Unit has any affect on one’s future prospects; Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing explore whether money can be used to incentivize underachieving kids to improve their grades in school; Eugene Jarecki investigates Levitt’s provocative theory as to why crime rates dramatically dropped in the early '90s; and Seth Gordon weaves the pieces together with playful animation and commentary from the authors. Filmmakers Alex Gibney, Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing will attend the opening and participate in a post-screening discussion moderated by Alvin Hall, BBC host and NPR commentator.

WHAT: FREAKONMICS

WHO: Alex Gibney, Filmmaker

Rachel Grady, Filmmaker

Heidi Ewing, Filmmaker

Alvin Hall, BBC host and NPR commentator, Moderator

WHEN: Monday, June 21, 2010

6:40 p.m. Press Check-in

7:00 p.m. Red Carpet Arrivals

7:30 p.m. Screening Begins (Q&A following)

WHERE: AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD

Space is limited for screening and reception. All media may not be accommodated. Media wishing to attend the screening or red carpet arrivals should RSVP to joshuadgardner@gmail.com.

American Airlines, the official airline of AFI, is a sponsor of the Festival.

About AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs

AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival is a seven-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 eighth year, the 2010 festival runs June 21–27 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in the Washington, D.C. area. The 2009 Festival featured 122 films from more than 60 countries and attracted over 27,000 attendees, including the influential audiences of the nation’s capital and media professionals from around the world. The concurrent five-day AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs International Documentary Conference presents thought-provoking presentations and engages a diverse group of over 1,000 filmmakers and industry leaders concerned with the future of non-fiction storytelling, production and distribution. For more information, go to Silverdocs.com.

About the American Film Institute

AFI is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work, and to educate the next generation of storytellers. As a national, public-supported educational and cultural organization, AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts.

AFI preserves the legacy of America’s film heritage through the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, an authoritative and scholarly record of American films made from 1893 to the present, and the AFI Archives, which contains rare footage from AFI’s history.

AFI honors the artists and their work through a variety of annual programs and special events, including the AFI Life Achievement Award and AFI Awards. For 38 years, the AFI Life Achievement Award has remained the highest honor for a career in film while AFI Awards, the institute’s almanac for the 21st century, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year. AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Movies television events and definitive movie reference lists, as well as AFI Night at the Movies, have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers. And as the largest nonprofit exhibitor in the United States, AFI offers film enthusiasts a variety of events throughout the year, including AFI Fest presented by Audi, the longest running international film festival in Los Angeles; AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs, the largest documentary festival in the US; AFI Project: 20/20, a global exchange initiative; and year-round programming at the AFI Silver Theatre in the Washington, D.C. area.

AFI educates the next generation of storytellers at its world-renowned AFI Conservatory, offering a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. AFI also explores new digital technologies through special workshops, and showcases the work of young storytellers through AFI ScreenNation.

Additional information about AFI is available at AFI.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 180 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, Investigation Discovery, Planet Green, and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit discoverycommunications.com.

About the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

AFI Silver is among the nation's premier film theaters, building an appreciation of the art and artists through exploring and celebrating new and classic films and filmmakers from around the globe. AFI Silver offers a year-round program of the best in American and international cinema, featuring a dynamic mix of retrospectives, special events, tributes, on-stage guest appearances, specialty first-run movies, festivals, premieres, and education and community-based programs in a theatrical setting of the highest standards. Anchored by the stunningly restored 1938 Silver Theatre, the three-screen AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is a state-of-the-art film and digital media exhibition venue that serves as a national model for preserving and honoring our shared film and film-going heritage. American Airlines is the official airline of the American Film Institute.