Africa. New York, NY. Alternatives to globalisation. Terror. These themes will be on the table and - on the screen - at the Images of the 21st Century: 8th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival March 10-19.

Creative director Dimitris Eipides says the social issues festival aims to ''activate the public, attract attention to important political and social issues and provide the Greek public with alternative sources of information from the established media''. Last year 22,000 viewers attended.

Highlights of the 2006 edition of the event will include screenings and discussions related to images of Africa and its Diaspora, New York life, alternative communities, and, policies of terror. Groundbreaking contemporary filmmakers Peter Wintonick, Kim Longinotto and Michel Negroponte will be giving presentations. There will also be a spotlight on hard-hitting Greek TV series ''Exandas''.

International films were being accepted up to Jan. 30th. Greek filmmakers have a Feb. 5 deadline. There is a Feb. 1st deadline for the European Documentary Network's Pitching Forum. Finally, don't forget about the ongoing applications for festival's Doc Market.

Read on for all the latest news on Greek and Balkan productions.