Library of Congress Festival of Film and Sound

Thursday, June 15 through Sunday, June 18, 2023
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Silver Spring, Maryland

Festival Passes on-sale now at AFI.com/Silver

The Festival of Film & Sound will bring together authors, historians, enthusiasts, Library archivists, curators and staff in a fun-filled weekend to enjoy classic rare silent and sound films from the 1920s through the early 1950s not available on Blu-ray or streaming services. The festival will feature screenings, Q&A speaker sessions, lectures, and the films will each spotlight different aspects of “Music and Sound,” the theme of this year’s festival. The festival will feature 35mm archival projection of restored prints from the collections of the Library of Congress and other preeminent archives, with a few titles presented on 4K digital. All silent films will feature live musical accompaniment.

More Information

Ben Burtt smiling with a computer screen in the background displaying Spy Smasher onscreen

Just added Oscar-winning motion picture sound designer and sound mixer Ben Burtt will discuss the history of motion picture sound effects, followed by the east coast premiere of Spy Smasher Strikes Back, plus a special Q&A about his career with Star Wars, ET, Wall-E and more.

Buy Festival Passes Festival Passes on-sale now at AFI.com/Silver.

Two girls holding milkshakes and smiling

Program Schedule and Special Guests The festival will feature screenings, Q&A speaker sessions, lectures, and films will each spotlight different aspects of “Music and Sound,” the theme of this year’s festival. The first film titles and special guests have been announced.

About the AFI Silver Theatre, Travel and FAQs The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, provides ready access to restaurants, hotels, the DC Metro and airports for local, national and international audiences.