Chloe Kaplan
AFI Communications

Another AFI film festival, now entering its fifth year, SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival concentrates solely on the art of documentary, a genre that continues to gain momentum in the early part of the 21st century.

As the October 2006 issue of Documentary Magazine said of the growing festival, it is "not only a great place to meet industry reps and filmmakers, but a wonderful opportunity to show films before smart and critical audiences.

"In just four years SILVERDOCS has erupted onto the scene as a must for documentary filmmakers and a sweet spot for documentary lovers."

Held each June, just outside Washington DC, at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, the festival presents the best of the year's non-fiction filmmaking from around the globe

From the celebrated work of Martin Scorsese (THE LAST WALTZ), Werner Herzog (GRIZZLY MAN) and Michael Apted (49 UP) to the 2006 SILVERDOCS grand jury winner, JESUS CAMP by directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady.

Past SILVERDOCS award winners include BORN INTO BROTHELS, DARWIN'S NIGHTMARE, MY ARCHITECT and STREET FIGHT, all of which received nominations for Academy Awards. And 2006 featured two special series, one on South African filmmakers and another on the subject of global health.

In 2007, SILVERDOCS will present a special program of films exploring the theme of religion and faith in civil society.

Featuring contemporary independent films and classic archival selections from around the globe, plus panel discussions with leading thinkers, the program should stimulate discussion and provide a forum for meaningful dialogue on one of the most seminal issues of the day: the boundary between church and state.

SILVERDOCS is June 12-17, 2007. For more information and an entry form, visit www.silverdocs.com/2007.