SilverDocs 2011 Opening Night at the AFI

If you’re planning on heading down to the AFI to enjoy SilverDocs the nation’s preeminent documentary film festival with accompanying international conference, we hope you find this handy Patch guide helpful. We’ve compiled our best transportation tips and links to movie screening times, conference topics and purchasing tickets.

Tammy Shea, vice president of corporate affairs and communications for Discovery Communications, Inc. (SilverDocs main corporate sponsor) urges event-goers to “take the Metro, and make a day of it. Be sure you plan on enough time to explore some of the different restaurants, shops and other great destinations that downtown Silver Spring has to offer.”

The is located just south of the intersection of Colesville Road (Rte. 29) and Georgia Avenue (Rte. 97) in the heart of downtown Silver Spring. There are a number of parking garages in the immediate vicinity, but you should definitely consider Metrorail and Metrobus - there are stops within walking distance of the theatre.

along both Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road can get quite thick at times, so consider alternate routes into the city – 16th Street from the District, East-West Highway from Bethesda, University Boulevard to Wayne Avenue from Wheaton or College Park and Fenton Street from Takoma Park.

The 9th Annual SilverDocs opens this evening with the screening of The Swell Season.

Check back often, as Patch will continue to bring you the latest news from the 2011 SilverDocs Film Festival.