Reel to Real: Silverdocs

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SILVERDOCS IS SUCH a must-see, buzzed-about event now that previewing it may seem redundant.

Many of the screenings for the 122 films, culled from 58 countries, will sell out whether or not they receive press coverage. But the greatness of Silverdocs (June 15-22) lies with the taste of its programmers, which pretty much guarantees that if you're shut out of one of the big films — e.g., opening-nighter "More Than a Game" (about LeBron James' high school team), the exclusive showing of the boxing documentary "Facing Ali" — you'll likely be just as amazed by one of the smaller movies that give the seventh edition of the festival its energy and flavor.

On June 17, for instance, you can fight the suit-and-tie crowd for the world premiere of "Convention," an all-star ensemble-made documentary about the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

But the better plan might be to sneak over to "RIP: A Remix Manifesto," which explores DIY creativity, old-world commerce and the complexities of copyright in the 21st century. The film was inspired by mash-up artist Girl Talk, whose work was influenced by old-school hip-hop and the cut-and-paste creativity of Coldcut, but in keeping with the true vibe of the project, director Brett Gaylor involved audiences to remix the movie during production and the premiere. (There will also be a post-screening performance by video-and-audio remixers Eclectic Method.)

Meanwhile, the five flicks up for the Best Music Documentary award are compelling, too. The "Intangible Asset Number 82" features an Aussie jazz drummer who seeks out a Southern Korean shaman for jams and spiritual enlightenment.

"Rise Up" was made by Argentinean director Luciano Blotta and follows three musicians from Jamaica — uptown Kingston's Ice Anastasia, Trenchtown's Turbulence and the countryside's Kernoy Reid — who deal with class and gender issues as they pursue their dreams.

"Soul Power" tracks the three-day R&B music festival in Zaire that preceded the 1974 boxing match there between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, while "Still Bill" uncovers what happened to Bill Withers, the singer behind soul classics "Lean on Me" and "Just the Two of Us." Finally, "Trimpin: The Sound of Invention" profiles the eccentric instrument inventor and installation artist who's name-checked in the title.

Another classy and sure-to-be-slammed event is the Charles Guggenheim Symposium on June 18. The event honors the local four-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker who died in 2002, and this year's symposium pays tribute to Albert Maysles ("Grey Gardens," "Gimme Shelter").

Special guests include Barbara Kopple and artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, with the discussion moderated by Entertainment Weekly critic Lisa Schwarzbaum.

But if all that honoring leaves you barren of tix, try to scoot on over to "Splitting Hairs," which follows the rivalry between Bruce Roe and Phil Olsen. You're not familiar with these two "athletes"? Don't worry; nobody is: They're "bearded stallions" trying to win the World Beard and Moustache Championships, which provide as much drama as the Stanley Cup playoffs and is just as hairy.

The red carpets will be rolled out again on June 21 when the movie "The Nines Lives of Marion Barry" is screened, and directors Dana Flor and Tony Oppenheimer will be there along with the Mayor for Life. There will also be a post-screening discussion moderated by news anchor dean Jim Vance and political analysts Lawrence Guyot, Jonetta Rose Barras and Tom Sherwood.

But the much more fun event this evening will be "Best Worst Movie," which profiles the 1990 film "Troll 2" — once voted the crappiest movie ever on imdb.com. Its child star, Michael Stephenson, grew up and made "Best Worst Movie," whose screening will be complemented by a showing of "Troll 2." It's the little things that provide maximum rocky horror (and enjoyment) at Silverdocs.

» AFI Silver, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring; opens Mon., through June 22; 301-495-6720. (Silver Spring)