Desmond Child rocks the Parthenon. Credit: Courtesy of Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
The Thessaloniki Documentary Festival returns on Thursday, March 5, offering a rich lineup of 252 full-length and short films, including a record 80 world premieres, along with 32 international and 11 European debuts.
Running through March 15 in theaters and online, the festival’s 28th edition will feature international stars, pioneering filmmakers, and some of the most talked-about documentaries of the year.
“Grounded in our belief in the universal values of freedom, democracy, equality, inclusion, and dignity, we have curated a festival that reflects what is happening in the world—what matters to us—without footnotes,” the organizers emphasize.
Acclaimed artists and filmmakers arrive in Thessaloniki for festival
Honorary Golden Alexander Awards will be presented to Greek filmmakers Vouvoula Skoura and Yorgos Papalios, as well as to American multimedia artist Bill Morrison, whom The New York Times has called the “poet laureate of lost films.” Papalios will also serve as a jury member for the International Competition section, while Morrison will showcase his work and lead a masterclass open to the public.
One of the most anticipated sceenings of the festival is the world premiere of Desmond Child Rocks The Parthenon, on March 13, which will take place in the presence of legendary songwriter and musician Desmond Child, the film’s director Heather Winters, and its producer, acclaimed Greek composer Phoebus.
The documentary chronicles the historic, star-studded benefit concert of the same name that was held at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus three years ago, on June 27, 2022 to support the campaign for the repatriation of the Parthenon Sculptures.
However, Desmond Child will not be the only artist advocating for the return of the Parthenon Marbles at this year’s festival. David Wilkinson’s acclaimed documentary The Marbles will also have its Greek premiere in Thessaloniki on March 6 with the director present.
Academy-Award winner Juliette Binoche, often portrayed in iconic Ancient Greek heroine roles on stage and screen, will attend the 28th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival for another Greek premiere on March 10, marking her directorial debut. All three screenings will be followed by Q&A sessions.
When Desmond Child rocked the Parthenon
Named after the extraordinary 2022 show, the documentary Desmond Child Rocks The Parthenon, focuses on the spectacular event staged at the ancient theater beneath the Acropolis of Athens.
The show featured electrifying performances by rock icons Alice Cooper and Bonnie Tyler, alongside international and Greek stars, including Rita Wilson, The Rasmus, Kip Winger, Sakis Rouvas, and the Athens Philharmonia Pop Orchestra. Its goal was to raise global awareness for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum in London to Greece.
Desmond Child accompanied his special guests on the piano, while the ancient walls of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus were illuminated with evocative lighting that enhanced the one-time performance and its mission. The documentary traces both Desmond Child’s career and this unforgettable Athens concert. It includes behind-the-scenes footage and once again highlights the campaign for the return of the Marbles.
The Marbles documentary Greek premiere at the Thessaloniki Festival
Desmond Child Rocks The Parthenon is not the only documentary at the 28th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival focusing on the widely publicized Greek claim. British director David Wilkinson will also travel to Thessaloniki for the Greek premiere of The Marbles, the first international feature-length documentary to explore the controversy surrounding the return of the Parthenon Sculptures from the British Museum to their native Greece.
The film, which premiered in the UK in November 2025 to five-star reviews from The Guardian and The Financial Times, examines the sculptures’ removal from Athens by Lord Elgin and their continued display in the British Museum.
The Parthenon Marbles in the British Museum. Credit: Greek Reporter
Wilkinson investigates the legal, historical, and political arguments that have shaped the debate since the early 19th century. The documentary presents evidence challenging the legitimacy of Elgin’s acquisition, framing it as a monumental act of cultural appropriation—often described as the greatest heist in art history.
Featuring prominent voices including actor Brian Cox and writer Victoria Hislop, alongside lawyers, researchers, historians, journalists, diplomats, and politicians, the film offers a comprehensive perspective on one of modern history’s most enduring cultural disputes.
Juliette Binoche returns to Thessaloniki
Following the Greek premiere of Uberto Pasolini’s The Return in November 2024, in which she portrayed Odysseus’s wife and Queen of Ithaca, Penelope, Juliette Binoche returns to Thessaloniki for the Documentary Festival to present her directorial debut, In-I In Motion. The film showcases her collaboration with renowned British dancer and choreographer Akram Khan.
In-I In Motion combines a rare, immersive documentary on the act of creation with a filmed performance of the critically acclaimed stage production In-I, which she co-created with Khan.
Juliette Binoche, Akram Khan in the film ΙΝ Ι ΙΝ ΜΟΤΙΟΝ. Credit: Courtesy of Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
In-I In Motion explores the universal spark of love at first sight, the sweep of passion that transcends cultural and religious boundaries, and what becomes of love “after.” The multi–award-winning actress will also visit Thessaloniki as President of the European Film Academy ahead of the countdown to the upcoming European Film Awards ceremony, set to take place in Athens in 2027.
During the festival, Binoche will share her thoughts, impressions, and experiences with the audience, reflecting on her dual role both in front of and behind the camera in an open discussion.