The sixth international festival of documentaries the Planete Doc Review kicks off this evening.

The festival showcases the most exceptional works of the last two years made by prizewinners of the most prestigious festivals in the world. The event will feature only premiers in the country, and in four cases – world premiers.

Film screenings open to public will run from 8 to 17 May. The first two days of the festival will see showings in 19 cities across Poland. This is a first, as up till now all the events had been taking place in the capital.

The movies will run in six competitions, including The Millennium Award for feature length documentary film, and Magic Hour Award for 60-minute films and newcomers: the Green Award, and Ecumenical Jury Award.

Last year’s festival drew an audience of 25,000; this time the organisers are expecting a record crowd due to additional screenings outside of Warsaw. One of the top events accompanying the festival is a film review and a debate devoted to the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism in Poland and Europe.