This film festival screens social documentaries - feature-length and short (under 50 minutes). Each year, a call for entries is launched to seek films from around the world. Special focus is placed on "documentaries that link the range of issues and viewpoints inherent in the documentary form with the diverse and informed audiences of the Washington, DC, area." Diversity and range of cultural insights are sought: The 2004 Festival screened 79 films, which were selected from a field of more than 1,200 entries submitted from 71 countries. Applicants apply online through the international film festival submission system called Withoutabox or submit materials (videocassettes or DVDs) via the postal service.

The media of film and interpersonal, intercultural dialogue characterise the Festival itself. Each screening is followed by a discussion featuring guests who share their insights with the audience. In addition, the SILVERDOCS International Documentary Conference runs concurrently with the screenings. Networking is a focus here; the idea is that filmmakers and broadcast professionals from all regions of the developing world will lay the groundwork for new cross-cultural creative and business relationships. It is typically attended by over 450 filmmakers and film/TV executives, who reportedly link up with each other across national and regional boundaries and pursue connections with USA-based distribution channels in small group sessions. Workshops teach filmmakers practical approaches to various filmmaking tasks, such as fundraising and editing trailers. Demonstrations expose filmmakers to advancements in filmmaking technology, with follow-up discussions that are designed to increase awareness and exchange about areas within the craft about which more research and advocacy are needed (e.g., issues related to negotiating terms of trade through the World Trade Organization system on audiovisual services).

Awards are a tool for encouraging and rewarding excellence in the medium of documentary filmmaking. The SILVERDOCS Jury, "a distinguished group of documentary film professionals", determines the most exceptional feature-length and short film documentaries; an Audience Award is also selected by Festival attendees. Award-winning films receive additional screenings on the closing day of the Festival. Among the 2004 winners were "Death in Gaza", which tracks the lives of Palestinian children tempted by the prospect of martyrdom, "Original Child Bomb", which revisits the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from the point of view of those who were there, "Porter", which depicts a man's journey hauling the belongings of wealthy strangers over mountains in Peru, "Born into Brothels", which follows the children of prostitutes in Calcutta (India)'s red light district, and "Life to Live", a portrait of children working toward independent living at the Center for Blind People in Poland.

The internet is a tool for sharing the experience of SILVERDOCS with a global audience. The SILVERDOCS website includes photo galleries of past festivals, as well as lists of films organised by title, director, day and time of screening, and country. Volunteering opportunities are also detailed here.

Media Development.

Submissions for the 2007 Festival will be accepted beginning in Autumn 2006; please visit the SILVERDOCS website for further details.

One participant in the 2004 International Documentary Conference offered the following reflection: "...In Africa where the majority of the population is illiterate, audio-visual media content will help bridge the big communication gap currently existing between development programmes and their targeted beneficiaries as members of such group. This will require some creative ways to encourage individuals to join and participate in your future lectures and film events".