AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Your ticket to Hogwarts awaits! Catch the first four Harry Potter films for one week only, on the eve of the final book's release. Before you see HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX at your local multiplex, come to AFI Silver and travel back to Privet Drive where it all began. Join us as we follow Harry, Ron, and Hermione through their first four adventure-filled years at Hogwarts.

Special Events:

Friday, July 20
Harry Potter Grand Hallows Ball! Ellsworth Avenue in downtown Silver Spring is transformed into Diagon Alley! Stock up on all your wizarding needs with Harry Potter specials at shops such as Flourish and Blotts (Borders Books and Music), Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor (Ben & Jerry's), The Leaky Cauldron (McGinty's Public House), and more! Activities include Harry Potter costume contests, games, face painting, live music, and even a chance to make your own wand.

Come spend the day at the Grand Hallows Ball and visit AFI Silver Theatre for a Harry Potter movie marathon! Then at the stroke of midnight, buy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at Border's Books and Music. (Available at 12:01a.m.)

Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21
Harry Potter movie marathons! Come in out of the summer heat, and cool off watching all four Harry Potter films back-to-back on Friday and Saturday.

On his 11th birthday, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is rescued from his awful aunt and uncle, to fulfill his destiny as a student at the fantastic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is there that he meets new best friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and the magical adventures begin. Nominated for three Oscars, for Art Direction, Costume Design, and Best Original Score. Featuring Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, and Richard Harris as Dumbledore.

DIR Chris Columbus; SCR Steve Kloves, based on the book by J.K. Rowling; PROD David Heyman. UK/US, 2001, color, 152 min. RATED PG

Harry ignores warnings not to return to Hogwarts, only to find the school plagued by a series of mysterious attacks and a strange voice that haunts him. Harry discovers a mysterious diary and learns dark secrets about his friend Hagrid, the Hogwarts groundskeeper. Most surprising of all, Harry finds he possesses a strange talent more befitting a resident of Slytherin than Gryffindor. Featuring Kenneth Branagh as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy, and John Cleese as Nearly Headless Nick.

DIR Chris Columbus; SCR Steve Kloves, based on the book by J.K. Rowling; PROD David Heyman. UK/US/Germany, 2002, color, 161 min. RATED PG

It's Harry's third year at Hogwarts. Not only does he have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but there is also trouble brewing: convicted murderer Sirius Black has escaped the Azkaban, the Wizards' Prison, and is coming after Harry. This time, he is in mortal danger. Nominated for two Oscars, for Best Original Score and Visual Effects. Featuring Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Emma Thompson as Professor Trelawney and Julie Christie as Madame Rosmerta.

DIR Alfonso Cuaron; SCR Steve Kloves, based on the book by J.K. Rowling; PROD Chris Columbus, David Heyman, Mark Radcliffe. UK/US, 2004, color, 141 min. RATED PG

Wednesday, July 18, 4:00, Thursday, July 19, 5:20, 8:15; Friday, July 20, 6:10; Saturday, July 21, 6:10

In his fourth year at Hogwarts, Harry finds himself selected as an underage and seemingly unqualified competitor in the dangerous Triwizard Tournament. The Death Eaters are gaining strength and the Dark Mark has been spotted. Disaster strikes at the Quidditch World Cup competition, pointing to dangerous times ahead. Oscar-nominated for Art Direction. Featuring Brendan Gleeson as Professor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter and Ralph Fiennes as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.