A star performer of the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir, 14-year-old Jorgis leads his peers with charming confidence and lifts the entire choir’s spirit with his generous smile. When his voice suddenly begins to change, Jorgis must decide when and how to make an unexpected yet graceful exit.

Buffalo, New York, sets the backdrop for this engrossing and provocative portrait of a middle-class Jewish family in turmoil. Pregnancy, illness, class and race collide as this family tries to cope with tragedy.

Jennifer Baichwal captures stories from people who have been struck by lightning. For some it is a freak and unfortunate accident, for others it is fate or God’s will, and for a few, a glimpse into death and a miraculous return to the living.

After living through decades of conflict and oppressive regimes, Afghans engage in democracy by voting for their favorite singer on the hugely popular TV show Afghan Star. The film follows four contestants as they contend with each other and fellow compatriots who are influenced by the Taliban.

This year, SILVERDOCS honors legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles. Maysles is widely recognized as a pioneer of "direct cinema" and regarded as one of America's foremost non-fiction filmmakers. As part of a retrospective program, SILVERDOCS offers a rare opportunity to see some of Maysles’ short films on the big screen. Part one begins with Maysles' very first film, and reveals some of his earliest work including a portrait of Anastasia Stevens, and American dancer in the Bolshoi Ballet and conceptual artist Yoko Ono. The films range from 1955-1965.

This year, SILVERDOCS honors legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles. Maysles is widely recognized as a pioneer of "direct cinema" and regarded as one of America's foremost non-fiction filmmakers. As part of a retrospective program, SILVERDOCS offers a rare opportunity to see some of Maysles' short films on the big screen. Part Two presents a collection of short films produced from the mid-60s through 70s – featuring Marlon Brando, Truman Capote, Orson Welles and Christo and Jeanne Claude.

From acclaimed filmmaker Yung Chang (UP THE YANGTZE) comes this celluloid valentine to a childhood memory. With lyrical imagery, Chang re-creates a poignant experience: A family expedition by train is punctuated with a breathtaking sunrise that emerges from behind the peaks of Ali Shan, a legendary mountain in Taiwan.

An early Maysles brothers “work for hire” for the NBC news program Update. Produced at the height of the Cold War by acclaimed screenwriter Bo Goldman, the subject is Anastasia Stevens, an American dancer in the Bolshoi Ballet.