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Opening night of the New African Films Festival brought more than 400 people to the lobby of the American Film Institute's Silver Theatre and Cultural Center March 19, but it wasn't a typical night at the movies.

While awaiting the first movie, "13 Months of Sunshine," attendees of the opening night cocktail hour could bypass the usual movie popcorn and candy, and opt for a buffet featuring ye'abesha gomen (collard greens) and tikil gomen (cabbage) as well as beets and Ethiopian bread, compliments of nearby Abol Ethiopian Restaurant.

The film festival, which celebrates African culture and aims to give a better feel for life in African countries, had seven successful days at AFI, its third year at the theater on Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring. Now in its fifth season, this year's festival featured about 30 films.

Susan Bluttman, AFI's media and public relations manager, was thrilled with the opening night turnout, noting that while only 195 tickets had been sold in advance, the first movie was sold out, and the standby line was still growing with only a few minutes to go before the 7:30 p.m. showing.

The festival tries to present a greater understanding of life in Africa "instead of just having your understanding from a single shot on CNN," said Mwiza Munthali, director of public outreach for TransAfrica, a foreign policy advocacy organization and one of the event's sponsors. AFI and afrikafe, a networking group for Africans and friends of Africa, also were sponsors.

"Our goal each time is to offer the Washington community African films and to give Africa a chance to show off its films," said Kishere Mbuya, CEO and founder of afrikafe, and a Silver Spring resident, adding that many of the films are award winners.

Todd Hitchcock, film programmer at AFI, said while there is no theme, the goal was to offer newer films as well as a few classic ones.

"We strive for representation across the Diaspora," said Lori Donnelly, an associate film programmer.

Alfia Johnson of Washington, D.C., attended because, "I'm a lover of films, a lover of culture. I support all African culture."

Candace Mickens of Takoma Park also was excited to attend. "Africa is part of our life, being an African-American," she said.

Another moviegoer, Rike Ojediran of Washington, D.C., echoed her sentiments. "I'm fascinated by this concept. It's something I want to support. I'm going to try and come most of the weekend."

Bluttman said attendance over the weekend was good. "We had more people in the African films than we did in any of the first-run movies," she said, referring to the currently running "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Class."

Silver Spring resident Yvonne Captain, a film professor and self-proclaimed film buff, praised the festival for not just showing good films but also for "giving people a chance to be proud."