While it is undeniably fun (and instructive) to view the completed films at this year's SILVERDOCS, much of the meat of the 7 day program is in its annual professional conference. Held parallel to the film screenings at the AFI Silver Theater and other venues, the concurrent International Documentary Conference is a must for professionals in the non-fiction field.

The Conference brings together leading filmmakers, educators, broadcasters, business leaders, distributors, private and public media, and funders from both established and emerging media markets. In five intensive days which includes over 60 panels, workshops, master classes and one-on-one meetings with key industry decision makers, attending filmmakers get an encyclopedic knowledge of where the industry is and where it is heading.

This year’s theme explores the challenges and opportunities of “360 Degree Storytelling: The Power Of Documentary Voices to Engage and Enrich Civic Discourse” throughout thematic strands including: Changing the World: Civic Engagement and Fresh Perspectives; Insider’s Guide to Public Broadcasting: Diversity and Dialogue; Dollars and Cents: Funding and Distribution; Hands on Storytelling: Craft, Excellence and Aesthetics; and SchoolDocs: The Role of Media in the 21st Century Classroom.

This year's featured speaker event is a conversation with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Michael Winship, President of the Writers Guild of America, East. They will discuss the intersection of technology and media, including the future of broadband, net neutrality, and other areas of interest to media makers.

Other highlights include a Doc Talk with acclaimed filmmaker Steve James (HOOP DREAMS, AT THE DEATH HOUSE DOOR) and a Doc Talk: Documentary Perspectives of War, featuring Sebastian Junger (RESTREPO), Henry Corra (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MCKINLEY NOLAN) and Amir Bar-Lev (THE TILLMAN STORY). Moderated by Philip Kennicott of The Washington Post.

In a discussion exploring Public Purpose Media in the Age of the Internet, actor/director Robert Townsend and the One Economy Corporation will give a briefing on the newly launched Public Internet Channel (pic.tv). Additionally a provocative discussion will be led by best-selling author, social critic and radio host Michael Eric Dyson as he announces the new Public Media Corps and hosts a live taping of his radio show.

I will be reporting on individual sessions but for more information, visit: www.silverdocs.com

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor