May 23, 2008–The 2008 SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival has announced that Executive Producer Sheila C. Johnsons feature documentary, “A Powerful Noise” has been accepted as an Official Selection at this years Festival.
“A Powerful Noise” was chosen from among nearly 2,000 submissions from all over the globe, making it the most competitive year in SILVERDOCS history. The sixth annual SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Fest takes place June 16-23, 2008 in Silver Spring, Maryland. A Powerful Noise will screen on Friday, June 20th at 5:15pm. After the screening there will be a Q&A with Filmmakers Scott Thigpen and Tom Cappello, Executive Producer Sheila C. Johnson and Bui My Hanh from Vietnam, one of three women profiled in the film.
“A Powerful Noise” follows the lives of three extraordinary women as they overcome deep-seeded barriers to spark remarkable change in their societies. Hanh is an HIV-positive widow in Vietnam; Nada is a survivor of the Bosnian war; and Jacqueline works in the slums of Bamako, Mali. The documentary takes you inside the lives of these women as they lead daily battles against ignorance, poverty, oppression and ethnic strife. Their stories are personal yet illustrate larger issues affecting millions of women worldwide. Fighting AIDS. Educating girls. Rebuilding communities. “A Powerful Noise” is a meditation on the inherent potential of women to change the world.
SILVERDOCS is one of the worlds preeminent documentary film festivals, say filmmakers Scott Thigpen and Tom Cappello. As a forum to present stories about important social issues, and so near to the heart of our nations capital, we feel it is a great place to reach policymakers, organizations and general audiences alike. We are thrilled to have A POWERFUL NOISE included in this years lineup.
About Sheila C. Johnson:
Sheila C. Johnson, Executive Producer of A Powerful Noise, is an entrepreneur and philanthropist whose accomplishments span the arenas of hospitality, sports, TV/film, the arts, and humanitarian causes. Ms. Johnson serves as a Global Ambassador for CARE, whose mission is to fight global poverty, and is an advocate for arts education. She is CEO of Salamander Hospitality and President & Managing Partner of the WNBAs Washington Mystics. As a partner in Lincoln Holdings, LLC, Ms. Johnson is the first woman to have a stake in three professional sports teams, including the Washington Wizards (NBA) and the Washington Capitals (NHL). She is also a TV pioneer, having been a founding partner of BET (Black Entertainment Television.)
About SILVERDOCS:
SILVERDOCS, an international film festival, honors excellence in filmmaking, supports the diverse voices and free expression of independent storytellers and celebrates the power of documentary to improve our understanding of the world. Now in its sixth year, the festival runs June 16-23 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in the Washington, DC area, and has expanded by two days to meet growing demand. The 2007 Festival featured 100 films from 43 countries presented to over 21,000 attendees, including the influential audiences of the nations capital and media professionals from around the world. 2008 lineup will be announced on May 22. www.SILVERDOCS.com
