American Film Institute Reestablishes Its Washington, DC Heritage With AFI Docs Presented By Audi

RENOWNED FILM ARTISTS AND THE NATION'S LEADERS DISCUSS TODAY'S WORLD PRESENTED THROUGH DOCUMENTARY FILM

SILVERDOCS IS RENAMED AFI DOCS presented by Audi

KEN BURNS, DAVIS GUGGENHEIM, BARBARA KOPPLE, SPIKE LEE AMONG FESTIVAL ADVISORS

LOS ANGELES and WASHINGTON--APRIL 12, 2013: The American Film Institute (AFI), founded in the White House Rose Garden in 1965, announced today an expansion into the heart of the nation's capital with its premier documentary festival, AFI Docs presented by Audi, through which powerful films will serve as a catalyst for artists and our country's leaders to confront critical topics of the day. A prominent part of the festival will be the AFI Catalyst Sessions: The Art of Moving Reality, a forum for national conversations by filmmakers, thought leaders, policy-makers and engaged audiences. AFI Docs presented by Audi is the newly named expansion of SILVERDOCS, which returns for its 11th edition June 19-23, 2013. After a decade at the celebrated AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, MD, the festival will build upon the success of Silverdocs with screenings and events at iconic venues on the National Mall and in the Penn Quarter area: the Smithsonian Museum theaters (National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of American History) and the Newseum. Festival programming will continue at the American Film Institute's AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center.

Serving as members of the AFI Docs Advisory Board are luminaries of non-fiction film --- Ken Burns, Davis Guggenheim, Chris Hegedus, Werner Herzog, Barbara Kopple, Spike Lee, Albert Maysles, Errol Morris, DA Pennebaker and Frederick Wiseman.

"AFI Docs will bring film artists to the forefront of a dialogue with our nation's leaders," said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. "History has proven that great change in civil societies is often, if not always, catalyzed by art. It is this that inspires us to be in Washington, DC with storytellers whose voices serve as catalysts for action. We're most proud to do so with the support of Audi, whose continued commitment to the art of the moving image at AFI Docs now also brings us home to the heart of the nation's capital."

"Audi is proud to support an organization that utilizes the power of film to educate, inspire and bring people together, specifically, documentary films that translate real life to the big screen," said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. "AFI Docs is one of the most important documentary festivals in North America. We are honored to be a part of this event, especially with it taking place right in the backyard of our U.S. headquarters and are pleased to support AFI in this exciting expansion."

"We are excited to embark on this transformational chapter in our festival's history," said Sky Sitney, AFI Docs Festival Director. "The festival is best known for the quality, depth and range of its programming, often with films that touch deeply on the emotional core of our national identity. We look forward to bringing these powerful and impactful stories to expanded audiences in Washington, DC and beyond."

Information on programming, screening schedules, registration and passes will be released in the coming weeks and posted at AFI .