The AFI Silver is a fantastic venue for the film fan of any age. I've watched obscure films, well respected classics, and everything in between. Theater 1 is a gorgeous venue, and the other screens are quite nice, if small. The prices are comparable, the popcorn is tasty, and the staff is friendly. There's ample parking nearby and a metro stop only a couple blocks away. I only wish I lived closer. With an hour or more transit time, I can't do visit more than 10 or 12 times a year, but every trip is a wonderful experience. Try to see one of their showings of a silent film with live musical accompaniment!
Support the cause; film appreciation and preservation. This is a great place to see revivals as well as foreign films. There are three theaters at American Film Institute (AFI), the main being huge like it was in the "old days" and two intimate screening ones.
Went to see The Imitation Game (mostly because it's not playing anywhere near me!) and I appreciate the goal of this theater. There are three screens - one seating 75, one seating 200 and one seating 400. It was wonderful to see everyone there supporting smaller, independent movies as well as first run releases. Also surprised that the seats were very comfortable and the floor inclined slightly so the person in front of you doesn't block your view at all. The one thing I was terribly disappointed in was the sound. We sat toward the back in the middle and all I heard during on screen conversations was reverb. It was so distracting and I can't imagine no one else noticed it. That said, it's worth supporting this enterprise.
I visited the Silver often in my childhood and teenage years - 60's-70's. They are recreated the one main theater exactly as it was then - AMAZING! The other theaters are cleverly added without distracting from the 60's lobby and overall décor. We watched a movie in one of the newer theaters and were amazed that there was NO sound coming from the surrounding films. An incredible step back into the 60's, but most importantly a theater that will compete with the modern day movies of the 2000's. The restoration foundation is to be commended....
Retro theater is the largest one here - really great for watching movies. Usually go to less well-known films so sit in one of the smaller theaters. However, they are stadium-style so offer a very good viewing experience.
You can not find a better place to watch a movie on the big screen. The AFI in Silver Spring is in the restored Silver Theater on Colesville Road. They show a repertoire of about 400 different movies a year - from premiers to the classics to foreign film. So make it a habit to check on line to see what is showing. And when you go you will find state of the art seating, sound and pictures. Enjoy!
Nice selection, clean space, and competent staff. Parking is close and relatively easy to find. The line moves quickly.
Renovated theatre from the past, home of AFI. Nice snack bar, comfy seats, especially in theater 1, the largest. Great sound system. Always our first choice when doing a night at the movies.
Huge screens, lots of legroom, clean and great decor. Only complaint is wish the seats were more comfortable but enjoyed everything else about this theater. Wish most indie theaters were like this.
We are very lucky in the DC area to have one of AFI's film exhibition centers here, even though AFI's main campus is in Hollywood. A longtime member, I have spent many hours at AFI, both in Silver Spring and at its former home at the Kennedy Center, indulging my film addiction, attending many festival and series over the years, and traveling the world from my seat. While I miss the old days having the AFI downtown, its breadth of repertory film offerings -- classic, contemporary, independent, American, and foreign -- ensures that I will continue making the trip up to Silver Spring.