Press Welcome

Welcome to the SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival Press Room, where you can find links to the latest SILVERDOCS news, press releases, press accreditation and press contact information.

THE FESTIVAL

Press Room SILVERDOCS brings the best new documentaries to the Washington, DC, area. The Festival has built a reputation for presenting compelling and engaging films that connect with audiences in theaters, and beyond. The Festival will run from Monday, June 15 through Monday June 22, with the last day “Best of the Fest” screenings to provide pass holders and local audiences an additional opportunity to catch the award winners and most popular films. SILVERDOCS will continue to program 100 documentaries, with the number of screenings per film in the program to increase.

Now in its seventh year, SILVERDOCS serves as a launch pad for independent documentaries, and affords international filmmakers access to US audiences. Called the “Pre-eminent US Documentary Fest” by Screen International, and the “premier showcase for documentary films” by the Hollywood Reporter, the 2008 edition of SILVERDOCS screened sold-out shows to more than 21,000 participants who viewed the world’s best new documentaries and experienced free outdoor screenings and performances, panel discussions and many special events.

Variety called SILVERDOCS “Non-fiction Nirvana” because it goes beyond screenings to provide business and creative connections at the concurrent five-day International Documentary Conference. The Conference presents thought-provoking presentations and engages a diverse group of over 1,200 media professionals and industry leaders concerned with the future of non-fiction storytelling, production and distribution.

The Festival’s signature program, the Charles Guggenheim Symposium, honors the legacy of artistic excellence, profound respect for humanity and democratic values of the late four-time Academy Award-winning Guggenheim. Past Guggenheim honorees include Spike Lee, Jonathan Demme, Martin Scorsese and Barbara Kopple.

SILVERDOCS bestows awards valued at over $80,000 in cash and prizes. Awards & Grants include:

Sterling Award for Short and Feature (US and World)
ACE Documentary Grant
American Film Market Award
Cinematic Vision Award for Short and Feature
Witness Award in honor of Joey R.B. Lozano
Music Award

Press inquiries, jarlington@AFI.com
202.316.4316