( Editor’s Note: This preview of the SILVERDOCS film festival comes to us from Sommer Mathis, who has joined our staff to write about arts.)

Just when you were certain that downtown Silver Spring will never be as hip as it wishes it was, SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival returns for its 3rd year to challenge your deeply held beliefs.

This year’s opening night gala alone is enough to make any film geek perspire with anticipation, and not just due to relative humidity. Show up Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a screening of “Midnight Movies,” Stuart Samuels’ in-depth look at how cult film directors like John Waters, George Romero, and David Lynch crossed over into mainstream success, and then stick around for an interview of Samuels by “Good Morning America” film critic Joel Siegel. But if that wasn’t enough for you, take your pass or ticket stub across the street to the Discovery Channel and gain access to the reception, where according to the press release, you can:

Dance to reggae, drink Zombies, frolic with freaks and cavort with creatures from the dead!

Are you kidding me? Where do I sign up!

Several of the directors featured in the film will also reportedly be in attendance. Imagine busting some sweet moves on the dance floor next to Perry Henzell! Doesn’t it sound too good to be true? Well, it is. Tickets for opening night will run you a whopping $45. And it’s sold out. Looks like Joel Siegel will be able to afford to get his moustache trimmed every day this year. But don’t despair. SILVERDOCS has plenty to offer those of you shut out of opening night. Here are DCist’s picks for the best the fest has to offer, for the far more reasonable price of $9 each: