SILVERDOCS is an international film festival that, in their own words, “celebrates the power of documentary to improve our understanding of the world.” The festival is set at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center right outside Washington, DC, and runs June 16-23rd. According to AFI, last year’s festival “featured 100 films from 43 countries presented to over 21,000 attendees, including the influential audiences of the nation’s capital and media professionals from around the world.” Having attended last year, I was struck by the enthusiasm and size of the audiences at both the festival and the concurrent conference.

In the interest of full disclosure, this is a festival to which I have a substantial connection. I have volunteered for the past two years and sat on this year’s Selection Committee. I wrote for the festival catalog and will likely be introducing some of the filmmakers and subjects at the festival. Feel free to adjust for my bias.

My blog reportage and opinions, however, do not represent the views of AFI or the SILVERDOCS festival, the Selection Committee, or of any of their staff. No one should construe anything expressed on this site as being endorsed or supported by AFI, SILVERDOCS², or anybody other than me.

While there are some details to be worked out as to approach and content³, keep an eye on this space in the coming weeks. Prior to the festival kickoff, I’ll be blogging on some of the films I think are particularly strong, and maybe even get in some interviews. In addition, at the conference itself, we might be trying out some new blogging-friendly technology and commenting on how it works in the live-blog setting.

1. OK, there are no rumors, but bear with me.
2. Read: They have the good sense to put as much distance between themselves and me as possible.
3. Video? Podcasts? Smell-o-vision? We’re working on it.