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Following last evening’s gala Opening Night Film, ALL TOGETHER NOW, SILVERDOCS 2008 kicks into high gear with its first full day of screenings, seminars and special events. In all, this year’s Festival will present 108 films from 63 countries, including six World, eight North American, six US, and seven East Coast Premieres, as well as two retrospective programs. Film screenings take place at the AFI Silver Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, the Festival epicenter and a year-round arthouse multi-plex that showcases independent and international cinema all year round.

The Festival has four competition categories, including the US Feature Competition, World Feature Competition, Music Documentary and Short Film Competition. In addition, the Festival will give out four additional awards:

• The Cinematic Vision Award will be given to a feature film that exhibits excellence and innovation in the craft of visual storytelling ($2,500).

• WGAW Documentary Screenplay Award will be awarded to the qualifying screenwriter (or screenwriters) of a feature-length film who demonstrates excellence in screenwriting in the documentary genre ($2,500).

• The WITNESS Award in honor of Joey Lozano will be awarded to a theatrical documentary that addresses human rights and social justice issues ($5,000).

• American Film Market/SILVERDOCS Award will be presented to a film of exceptional promise in the media marketplace and will include special access to the American Film Market and accommodations ($5,000 value).

In addition, SILVERDOCS and ACE/Animal Content in Entertainment will again present a development grant of $25,000 for a film that generates awareness and sensitivity to animal issues. Gibson Guitars will also present a Gibson Les Paul Standard to the Music Documentary winner, valued at $3,700. The awards join those for films in competition. The new awards bring the combined cash and in-kind prizes at SILVERDOCS to $70,000. Award winners will be announced at the SILVERDOCS Award presentation on Saturday June 21, 2008. All films are also eligible for Audience awards for Best Feature and Short, which will be announced on Sunday June 22, 2008.

The ambitious program of US and international films has expanded by two days to meet growing demand by both the public and the industry, and to showcase the burgeoning explosion of non-fiction works being produced around the globe. “Our new World Feature section reflects our commitment to highlighting global perspectives,” Festival Director Patricia Finneran stressed. “The 2008 program represents the very best the documentary form has to offer, gives voice to the most compelling issues of the day and reflects the diversity of the filmmakers’ approach to storytelling,” Director of Programming Sky Sitney added. “Some are told with political urgency, others through a personal lens; some with humor, others with music, but all offer a major contribution to the genre and to our shared human experience.”

2008 should be the best edition yet! To follow the excitement, log on to this Dailies site often or visit the Festival's website at: www.silverdocs.com

More from Sandy Mandelberger, Silverdocs Dailies Editor on fest21.com