This three-day festival chooses its films for their historical interest and their accessibility to modern audiences. That makes it the perfect place to discover that you love silent cinema. The prints are always in excellent condition, accompanied by live music, and shown at the Castro Theater, a silent movie palace built in 1922 and restored to its original gilt-and-frescoed glory. The program is a good blend of comedy and drama, with generous intermissions between films, giving event-goers the chance to browse the book table sponsored by Booksmith. If you miss the July showcase, be sure to check out their website for details on the one day mini-festival that takes place in December.