by Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor

For lovers of non-fiction film, it doesn't get much better than the SILVERDOCS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL, which begins its week-long love affair with documentaries next week. Boasting some of the finest achievements from the world of documentary film, the Festival is sponsored by the American Film Institute and The Discovery Channel. Its home base at the AFI Silver Theater, one of the finest arthouse venues in the country, brings even more allure to the ambitious slate of films.

SILVERDOCS brings the best new documentaries to the Washington, DC, area. The Festival has built a reputation for presenting compelling and engaging films that cover a wide range of topics from social conflict, political issues and films on the arts. connect The Festival will run from Monday, June 15 through Monday June 22, presenting a program of over 100 films from all over the world.

Now in its seventh year, SILVERDOCS serves as a launch pad for independent documentaries, and affords international filmmakers access to US audiences. Aside from the screening events, the Festival hosts the International Documentary Conference, featuring speakers on subjects of vital interest to independent documentarians. Add to that some special events, outdoor screenings and the Festival's convivial networking parties, this is documentary heaven for makers and lovers of the doc film. Variety has termed it "non-fiction nirvana" and as a longtime attendee, I agree.

On this dedicated website, readers will get a taste of the films and filmmakers that are making waves at the Festival and learn more about new sources of financing, distribution support and technology innovations. For more information on this year's excitement, log on to the Festival's website: www.silverdocs.com. Stay tuned for a weeklong immersion......