This is definitely the best year yet for SILVERDOCS. I'm here at the AFI Silver winding down and reflecting on the last four days. A few highlights from my day yesterday include a Silver Session discussion with Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment, a fabulous q&a with director Oliver Hodge and film subject Michael Reynolds at the US premiere of GARBAGE WARRIOR, filmmaker party at the Moose Lodge, complete with trucker swag in honor of Doug Pray's BIG RIG and last but not least a spontaneous dance party in the auto repair shop parking lot with some of our international guests.
Our guests are really energized about all there is to take in and there are still two full days to go.

Here's a glimpse of Saturday and Sunday:

CLOSING NIGHT FILM, RECEPTION, and PARTY
East Coast Premiere of ARCTIC TALE by Sarah Robertson and Adam Ravetch
6:30 p.m. in the AFI Silver Theatre.
National Geographic Films, the producers of MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, and Paramount Vantage, the distributors of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, present this
epic adventure that explores the vast world of the Great North. The film follows the walrus, Seela and the polar bear, Nanu, on their journey from birth to parenthood in the Arctic wilderness.

Closing night reception to follow in the Cinema Lounge with an after-party at Jackie’s Restaurant.

11:00 a.m. World Premiere of LIVING GODDESS
Director Ishbel Whitaker and the Kumari herself present the World Premiere of LIVING GODDESS, a lush tale of a girl-child known as the Kumari, considered to be the incarnation of the Hindu goddess Kali.. She lives a peaceful and sheltered life, worshipped even by her parents, while outside her palace, the people are fighting for democracy against a despotic king, the fruition of an ancient prophecy.

The Kumari in attendance!

12:45 p.m. World Premiere of MADE IN LA
Director Almudena Carracedo’s film follows Latina garment workers expending blood, sweat and tears to successfully organize against not only the sweatshops, but the glossy mall stores where there labor is displayed.

3:00 p.m. Director Stephanie Johnes presents the DC Premiere of DOUBLETIME, about competitive fusion double-dutch jump rope, which combines dance, gymnastics, and acrobatics to a pulsing soundtrack. Two winning teenage teams from the Carolinas prepare and compete for nationals at the Apollo Theater in Harlem—and fight intimidation by the world-class Japanese.

Local champion Double Dutch team the Kangaroo kids will perform outdoors preceding the screening.

5:00 p.m. The Sterling Award Ceremony hosted by Arch Campbell will take place in the Cinema Lounge. Filmmakers will be awarded Sterling Awards for Best Feature, Best Short and Best Music Documentary. This year three new awards will be presented as well: The Cinematic Vision Award, the WITNESS Award, and the SILVERDOCS/American Film Market Award. A Best documentary in
the Beyond Belief strand will also be awarded.

6:00 p.m. Director Shimon Dotan presents HOTHOUSE, a gripping look at life behind the prison walls for some of the nearly 10,000 Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons and how prison creates a brotherhood that fuels the political divide.

10:30 p.m. Director G.J. Echternkamp presents the DC Premiere of FRANK AND CINDY, which explores unrealized dreams and the complexity of love in a hilarious portrait. Family life gets disturbing when dad was a one-hit-wonder ‘80s pop star and mom wishes he was so much more.
Frank and Cindy in attendance!