Introduction to the Theatre

The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is a state-of-the-art venue for moving image exhibitions, education, and cultural events. Independent features, foreign films, documentaries, and classic cinema are showcased through advanced technology in three distinct theatres. This impressive Theatre and Cultural Center represents an ambitious restoration project of the historic 1938 Silver Theatre, culminating in its completion in 2003, thanks to a collaboration between Montgomery County, Maryland, and the American Film Institute. The expansion added 32,000 square feet, which includes two stadium theatres, office spaces, meeting areas, and exhibit spaces.

The American Film Institute, established in 1967, stands as America’s national arts organization, dedicated to promoting and preserving the art of film, television, and digital media. The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center hosts filmmaker interviews, panels, discussions, musical performances, and other enriching events, all supported by the financial contributions from passionate arts enthusiasts, which enable various programs and initiatives.

Address:
8633 Colesville Road at the intersection of Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue – centrally located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, just two blocks north of Metro’s Red Line station. See a map.

See Features and Schedules

History of the Silver Theatre

Constructed during the New Deal by U.S. Treasurer William Alexander Julian, the Silver Theatre was envisioned as the crown jewel of Maryland’s Silver Spring Shopping Center. This Art Deco theatre/shopping center complex aimed to transform the area into a central business hub with widespread appeal. However, after nearly 50 years of operation, the original Silver Theatre closed its doors in 1985. Furthermore, when demolition plans were announced a decade later, community preservationists, including the Art Deco Society of Washington, launched a campaign to safeguard both the theatre and the adjacent shopping complex. In 2003, under the mission to advance and preserve the art of the moving image, AFI conceived the idea of the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, revitalizing the historic theatre into a regional cultural destination and an internationally recognized year-round film and video exhibition center.

Website: www.afi.com