AFI Silver’s Auditorium 1 is a glorious, old-fashioned theater boasting a beautiful 70mm projector.
Some things you just can’t fake. The adoration of cinema the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring displays extends beyond the vintage posters and art deco design. There’s a sense of purpose to the AFI Silver that very few theaters have, from the old projector system in the lobby to the movies it shows, about half of which are classics.
The atmosphere can be a little off-putting at first if you’re just trying to kill time, almost as if the theater were a cinephiles-only club. But strip away the pretentiousness, and you’ll find a theater that tries hard to cater to everyone. Sure, most of the new releases tend toward the art house, but old films screened frequently include genre hits such as Shaun of the Dead and Alien.
No matter which film you do end up seeing, AFI takes great care to present all of its showings in the best way possible. If you’re lucky, you’ll be in Auditorium 1, the largest screen at AFI and host to one of the region’s only non-IMAX 70 mm projector. The seating layout predates stadium seating, so sightlines aren’t the greatest. The clarity of the presentation, however, makes up for it.
The other screening rooms are much smaller affairs. Admittedly, a good number of the film prints that get to the AFI are a bit worse for the wear, mostly because of endless revival screenings elsewhere. Fortunately, the theater’s projectionists are quite talented. Rarely will a film be out of focus or cut off because of an incompetent projectionist.
The concessions offered run the usual gamut. Alcohol is sold alongside the standards, such as excellent popcorn and an assortment of fountain drinks. The theater’s location, in the heart of downtown Silver Spring, means a good variety of dining options, should you desire, and ample public transportation options.
Parking, however, is frustrating at best. Plan to add at least an additional 15 minutes to find a parking slot open in one of the many nearby crowded parking garages.
SIDEBAR INFO:
Popcorn: Small: $4.50, Medium: $5.50, Large: $6
Fountain Drinks: Small: $4, Medium: $4.75, Large: $5
Tickets: Regular: $11.50, Matinee: $8.50
Transportation: Paid parking available, free on weekends and after 8 p.m. Very close to Silver Spring Metro Station (Red Line) and accessible via shuttle.
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