On Opening Night attendees were tapping their feet to the beat of Ramona Diaz's DON'T STOP BELIEVIN': EVERYMAN'S JOURNEY. Lead guitarist of Journey Neal Schon made an appearance on the red carpet in full rock garb. The house was packed with Journey fans, music fans, doc lovers and filmmakers. Filmmaker Andrew Garrison, whose film TRASH DANCE screens at Silverdocs this week described the event as a "rock 'n' roll mix." It was amazing to have the makers of DON'T STOP BELIEVIN': EVERYMAN'S JOURNEY present with filmmaker Ramona Diaz, film producers Capella Fahoome Brogdon and Josh Green, and even lead singer Arnel Pineda tweeting from afar. After the film, Washington Post Pop Music Critic, Chris Richards moderated the discussion with filmmaker Ramona Diaz and the film producers. He brought to light some fun facts like how the tune "Don't Stop Believin" was the most downloaded song in the 20th century. 

And, of course the after-party at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland shook the ground.  The Reagan Years played the house and though the tunes were recovered oldies people of all ages gravitated toward the dance floor. In case you missed the festivities, have fun reveling in the photos below.

Journey lead-guitarist Neal Schon on the Silverdocs red carpet

Journey lead-guitarist Neal Schon interviewed on the red carpet

(From left) DON'T STOP BELIEVIN': EVERYMAN'S JOURNEY producer Josh Green, filmmaker Ramona Diaz, Journey lead-guitarist Neal Schon and Michaele Salahi, and film producer Capella Fahoome Brogdon

(From left) AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center Director Ray Barry, DON'T STOP BELIEVIN': EVERYMAN'S JOURNEY filmmaker Ramona Diaz, AFI COO Nancy Harris, Journey lead-guitarist Neal Schon and Michaele Salahi, Silverdocs Festival Director Sky Sitney, film producers Capella Fahoome Brogdon and Josh Green and Opening Night moderator and Discovery Communications Chief Communications Officer David C. Leavy

Silverdocs Festival Director Sky Sitney being interviewed on the red carpet

The crowd on Opening Night 

JOURNEY Filmmaker Ramona Diaz, and producers Capella Fahoome Brogdon and Josh Green with Washington Post Pop music critic Chris Richards

DON'T STOP BELIEVIN': EVERYMAN'S JOURNEY Filmmaker Ramona Diaz 

Filmmaker Ramona Diaz with Washington Post Pop Music critic, Chris Richards

Wow it's the first full day of Silverdocs. There is a whole world out there waiting for you - conference and film attendees. Are you wondering where to begin? Totally understandable. Here are some of today's must-see films that you won't want to miss. 

CHASING ICE

Tuesday, June 19 at 4:30 p.m. 

Don't miss your chance to see this visually stunning film. Advanced tickets for the second day screening are now closed. You will be swept away by these beautiful images, such as the one above.

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For years, warnings about the dangers of melting glaciers have been dismissed and ignored. Since 2005, photographer James Balog has been marking the changes to these massive ice sheets as part of The Extreme Ice Survey, a daring expedition to present undeniable evidence of global warming.  This visually stunning portrait of Balog and his team combines compelling science and artistry as they brave the extreme elements, to show just how fast these ice mountains are disappearing. – MRR

THE HOUSE I LIVE IN 

Tuesday, June 19 at 3:00 p.m.

America’s “war on drugs” officially began 40 years ago under the leadership of then President Richard Nixon. Over the course of four decades, America’s drug problem has only become worse. What went wrong? Filmmaker Eugene Jarecki (WHY WE FIGHT) offers a sobering comprehensive view of contemporary drug culture and examines the troubling realities of a broken system whose very existence, he argues, is making the problem worse rather than better. – AP

THE IMPOSTER 

Tuesday, June 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Don't miss this intriguing thriller that will make you think. For some daytime thrills and an incredible story check out this film playing this afternoon.

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Introduce yourself:

Ross Whitaker was probably first noticed when the self-funded SAVIOURS was selected for theatrical release in Ireland and acclaimed as “best Irish film of 2008” (Sunday Tribune). Subsequently made the multi-award-winning short documentary BYE BYE NOW in 2009 (Winner Silverdocs, Nashville and several other festivals) with Aideen O'Sullivan, the epic television documentary BLIND MAN WALKING in 2010 (“moving and powerful,” Irish Independent) and the prime time political documentary THE BAILOUT in 2011 (“superb... riveting,” Sunday Independent).  HOME TURF (2011), produced by O'Sullivan, is currently touring festivals with a U.S. Premiere at Silverdocs in June.

What inspired this film?   How did you find your subjects?

When we were on the road making BYE BYE NOW, we were having such a good time that we were trying to think of topics that could allow us to make another film.  Aideen (producer) talked about how her father was among a gang of men that still cut turf for fuel by hand every summer.  There aren’t many that still do that, so we decided we should document it.

What were some of the biggest challenges/surprises?

One of the biggest challenges was for our Italian cameraman, Alex – he couldn’t understand a word of the Kerry accents, and they couldn’t understand much of him. Luckily, we were going for a more visual feel to the storytelling.

What was your VERY FIRST film?

I did a short doc called GOD BLOWS MY MIND with a good friend and excellent filmmaker called Liam Nolan.  We followed 20 or so American Christians on the streets of Dublin as they spread the word of God with mixed results.… We were really happy with it, but it didn’t really go anywhere.  But at least it proved we could see a project through.

What is your proudest professional moment?

I think it was when we heard that we won the Audience Award at Silverdocs.  It was amazing to think that people far away at a film festival in America felt strongly enough about our little Irish film to vote for it.

What other projects are in the pipeline?

We’re working on a couple of features and a TV doc.  Hopefully they’ll all come to fruition, and somebody will want to watch them.

Why did you become a filmmaker?

I wanted to do something l liked, and it was the thing I liked the most.

What are some of your creative influences?

Anything and everything really… I love the work of Kim Longinotto.  She is number one to me.  I love the way Michael Moore could influence with his films.  I love the personality of Broomfield and the perfection of Errol Morris’s work.  That’s just to name a few.  You can learn plenty from everything you watch.

Did you go to film school?

Yes, I did a year in UCD in Dublin.  More than anything, it confirmed my interest in the area and fueled my desire to continue.  You learn most when you actually start working and actually make things.

What do you shoot on?

Whatever the best camera is that we can get our hands on at the time of filming. Until now, we’ve done a lot of work on smaller cameras – like PD150, Z1 and EX1 – that suit the kind of low-key observational work we do.  But camera technology is moving so fast and the demand for production values is increasing, so the pressure is on to use better cameras.  For HOME TURF, we shot on Red.  We loved the look, but sometimes we felt we missed moments because of the inflexibility of changing lenses and so on.  Still, it suited our more measured approach to this film.  I suppose there is no camera that suits every type of documentary making.

What has been the most unexpected thing to happen since taking the film on the festival circuit?

Aideen will laugh at me telling you this but we’ve had only one international screening so far, at Hot Docs.  At the end of the second screening, someone shouted “bravo”! We’ve been using it as something of a catchphrase ever since.

2012 marks our tenth edition of the Festival.  Why did you want to screen your film at Silverdocs?

In the first instance, the festival’s international reputation, but since having a film at Silverdocs two years ago, we’ve been touched by the warmth of the contact we’ve had with all involved.

How old are you in your head?

Pass sales for the AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival end today at 5 pm EST. Absorb the most of the Silverdocs Documentary Festival by purchasing a pass. There are options for students, educators, conference attendees and more! 

For purchasing info visit www.silverdocs.com

Introduce yourself:

In April 2011, Emmett Malloy and his film crew boarded an antique train to venture across the country and chronicle the Railroad Revival Tour (a six-stop sojourn in which all featured performers traveled exclusively in vintage railcars). In his new documentary BIG EASY EXPRESS, the Los Angeles-based director follows tour members Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and Old Crow Medicine Show on their weeklong voyage throughout the American Southwest. Like Malloy’s last feature film (the much-acclaimed White Stripes tour documentary UNDER GREAT WHITE NORTHERN LIGHTS), BIG EASY EXPRESSsweeps viewers into the ramshackle adventure of the tour while elegantly capturing the authenticity and spirit that infuses each band’s music.

What inspired this film?   How did you find your subjects?

Certainly, the tour the Grateful Dead, The Band and many others did back in the day called Festival Express was the primary influence for this whole trip.  My subjects sort of found me on this one.  I did a film about the White Stripes where I documented them touring through Canada, and the bands were fans of that film and felt like I would be a good fit to join them on the train.

What were some of the biggest challenges/surprises?

The biggest challenge was certainly just moving a crew up and down a quarter mile train with all of our gear.  Anytime we needed a new piece of gear, our camera crew had to bounce on down the line to get what we needed.  Their legs were like Jell-O at the end of each day.  Surprises were just how beautiful our country still is.

What was your VERY FIRST film?

My very first film was a surf film called THICKER THAN WATER, which I made with Jack Johnson and my cousin Chris Malloy.

What is your proudest professional moment?

Directing my first White Stripes video with my brother.

What other projects are in the pipeline?

I hope to make a feature length narrative film.  I have a comedy in development with Ben Stiller and a few other projects that I would love to do.  I also hope to finally get to a long form project on Nick Drake, celebrating his music and influence.

Why did you become a filmmaker?

Because my Dad’s construction business was having a tough go because of the recession and that was the only other gig in LA, it seemed.

What are some of your creative influences?

The surfer, Tom Curren.  The musician Chet Baker and the filmmaker Hal Ashby.

Did you go to film school?

Not even close.

What do you shoot on?

More than anything else 16mm film, but I will say the 5D's are really impressive.  We just finished an HBO series called ON: FREDDIE ROACH and shot it entirely on 5D's and 7D's and I love the way it felt.  That was an eye opener.

What has been the most unexpected thing to happen since taking the film on the festival circuit?

We have only had this film play at one festival so far.  It had two screenings in Austin at the SXSW festival and certainly winning the "Audience Award" was unexpected.  Austin was the right town for this film.

2012 marks our tenth edition of the Festival.  Why did you want to screen your film at Silverdocs?

I love Tenth Editions, I guess.

How old are you in your head?

A Must See, the story of George Plimpton is one of the featured films for this years Silverdocs festival. It is quote edifying!

Click on the highlighted title above to view a trailer of the film.