The 18th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival scheduled to last from March 11 till March 20, opened its doors to all the movie lovers on Friday. The premiere took place at the ‘Olympion’ cinema on Aristotelous Square, and the themes in the vast documentary and film line up will be heavily influenced by the pressing and tragic issue of our day, the refugee crisis. Also included in the line up are Oscar nominated documentaries, holocaust movies, historical and personality documentaries like Janis Joplin at Woodstock etc, while films on climate change and environmental issues will also feature. The refugee crisis will feature prominently in the total of 186 movies to be screened, 17 of which are world or European premieres and 73 Greek films. Dimitris Eipides, the outgoing Festival’s director said the institution started at a time when an alternative form of information was not present. Those interested in immersing themselves in the beauty of documentary filming can pick up their tickets at Aristotelous Square for 4 Euros each from 10 am to midnight daily, or book online at ticketing@filmfestival.gr.