By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Hot Docs has reached the midway point. Thousands of documentary loves and newbies alike have been flocking to venues like the Bloor, the Lightbox, and the Isabel Bader for the chance to be among the first to catch these world class films. With directors, subjects, and even a few crews onstage to participate in Q&As it is no wonder that Hot Docs remains one of the top film Festivals of its kind in the world.
Here are some great titles you can still catch over the next few days.
Cameraperson
One of the best Documentary cinematographers in the business, Kirsten Johnson has worked on everything from Fahrenheit 9/11 to Citizenfour. In this unique Documentary, Ms. Johnson has assembled footage from many of her favourite shoots around the world. This truly moving Film takes the viewer on a personal journey from New York to Darfur and everywhere in between, showing us some of the human moments behind the headlines and the soul of a truly gifted cameraperson.
Saturday, May 7 at 6:15 p.m. TBLB
De Palma
Film buffs will be flocking to see Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow’s latest Movie. A retrospective on director Brian De Palma’s complete filmography, the Film takes on a journey from his early days in Film school right through to Mission Impossible. De Palma doesn’t shy away from discussing both the high and lows of the process behind making each film. He also finds time to drop anecdotes about his friends Steve (Spielberg), Johnny (Williams) and Bobby (De Niro) among others. This true masterclass led by the master himself.
Friday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m. TBLB
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
Good Times, All in the Family and The Jeffersons; all these shows have one thing in common: Norman Lear. The grandfather the modern sitcom, he shaped what we watch on TV more than almost any person before or since. If there was a boundary that needed to be pushed, he obliterated it and left a trail of Emmys in his wake.
Friday, May 6 at 6:45 p.m. TBLB
Saturday May 7 at 3:15 p.m. The Revue
The Slippers
There are great Movies and Movies that drag you back in time to the first time you watched them, and then there’s The Wizard of Oz. Oz is movie that continues to hold the hearts and minds of everyone who has ever seen it. Some people, however, are slightly more obsessed than others. In this great feel good doc, director Morgan White explores the world of die-hard collectors who have devoted thousands of dollars and years of their lives to owning pieces of the movie. And no piece of Oz is more valuable than the ruby slippers.
Sunday May 8 at 6:45 p.m. The Regent
Spirit Unforgettable
Canadian music legends the Spirit of the West were confronted with a challenge: their lead singer, John Mann, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 52. Rather than give up or retire, this Spirit family rallied behind their brother to support him and help him to continue making music. Using a combination of archival footage and interviews with bandmates, family, and doctors, the Film is centered around the band’s goal to have John play “one last” gig at Massey Hall in June 2015.
Sunday, May 8 at 12:30 p.m. The Royal
Unlocking the Cage
Directors Chris Hegedus and DA Pennebaker bring us story of Steven Wise and the Nonhuman Rights Project whose goal is to ensure the well-being of animals. In the Film, Wise and his team go to court to save a chimpanzee whom they believe deserves the same right to a cruelty-free life as a human. The Nonhuman Rights Project are a passionate group of people who sincerely believe in their cause and will have the audience at the edge of their seat awaiting the verdict.
Sunday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. TBLB
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
I want to start this review on a more personal note than the other reviews for Hot Docs. I have a brother who suffers from autism and I understand the struggles and hardships associated with it. But I also understand the wrong and terrible stigmas associated with autism as well.
The Documentary Life, Animated from Academy Award-winning Director Roger Ross Williams, details how our subject Owen, develops verbal autism to tear-inducing effect. Maybe it had something to do with how my brother and I tried to communicate with while we were younger, who knows.
The Film details his relationship with the Disney Animated Movies that helped shape who he has become today in helping him get a grasp of the English language. Owen, like many other children who have autism, was diagnosed early on at the age of three. As his motor skills diminished doctors were worried he would never be able to speak again.
Life, Animated is a magical experience that allows the audience to see how Owen through the power of Film. Bring tissues.
Tuesday, May 3 9:15 p.m. Isabel Bader
Thursday, May 5 12:30 p.m. Hart House
Saturday, May 7 1:00 p.m. Fox Theatre
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
One of the most anticipated events of Hot Docs is the immersive dining experience being offered by chef Justin Cournoyer following the May 1st screening of Maurice Dekker’s Ants on a Shrimp. Hosted by Eatable Films, The Canadian Landscape in 5 Courses, is a dinner that will change the way you think about Canadian cuisine.
Ants on a Shrimp follows chef Rene Redzepi of Noma fame as he and his team travel to Tokyo to create a unique 14-course meal that combines local Japanese flavours and ingredients with his own Danish atheistic. While much is made of Redzepi, the Film spends much of its time with the members of his team who help shape the Tokyo menu.
Although the Movie may scare people away from life in a professional kitchen, it will definitely inspire amateur foodies and lifelong epicurians to indulge. But rest assured, despite the chef’s notorious fanatical control over every aspect of the kitchen, accommodations can be made for more squeamish or dietary restricted diners, “Veg: no meat, no fish, but dairy and insects are okay.”
Justin Cournoyer’s Actinolite Restaurant is famous for using local ingredients in all their dishes. Chef is sure to amaze even the most jaded guest at his post-Movie dinner, The Canadian Landscape in 5 Courses. Fear not, I have been personally assured that no ants (living or otherwise) will make an appearance on your plate. For more information about this one in a lifetime dinner visit http://eatablefilms.com.
Sunday, May 1 at 6:45 p.m. Isabel Bader
Monday, May 2 at 12:30 p.m. Hart House
Wednesday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. Isabel Bader
Sunday, May 6 at 6:00 p.m. Royal Cinema
By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Our extensive coverage of Hot Docs continues with reviews on more great Documentaries.
HOTEL COOLGARDIE
In director Pete Gleeson’s Hotel Coolgardie, we meet Finnish backpackers Lina and Steph who are forced to look for work after having had their credit cards stolen and their accounts emptied on a trip to Bali. When they arrive in Coolgardie, a mining town in Australia, Lina and Steph are not thrilled about being thrown into the local bar scene but are willing to work it to make ends meet and hopefully find their way home. Upon arriving at work they are met with a sign that reads “new girls tonite” and are forced to contend with customers who verbally and physically harass them.
Hotel Coolgardie will anger you at the fact that there is still this much blatant sexual harassment still prominent in the world in 2016. It will evoke rage and spark the conversation about an important issue.
Sunday, May 1 at 7:15 p.m. TBLB
Monday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m. Scotiabank
Saturday, May 7 at 9:45 p.m. Scotiabank
THE LAST LAUGH
You know what is funny? The Holocaust! With interviews from comedians ranging from Gilbert Gottfried to Mel Brooks, The Last Laugh follows a Holocaust survivor as he discusses the use of humour in relation to the Holocaust and whether or not it is acceptable. The Last Laugh focuses on the Holocaust, but also addresses other horrific events throughout history showcasing some of the jokes about them demonstrating when it is not funny to make light of a tragedy. The Last Laugh will leave you laughing or will leave you upset and dismayed; it all depends on how one views comedy in light of tragedy.
Sunday, May 1 at 1:15 p.m. Bloor Cinema
Monday, May 2 at 9:00 p.m. Isabel Bader
Saturday, May 7 at 10:30 a.m. Isabel Bader
WEINER
Back in 2011, Anthony Weiner’s life changed forever and in a way that were he not a person in political power it would not have garnered as much attention as it did. Weiner, the Documentary capturing what happened since the incident regarding an inappropriate photo released on Twitter, captures the timeline of Anthony Weiner’s life after the incidents that occurred. The Documentary is about former U.S representative hailing from New York, and his scandal leading towards his resignation and failed run for mayor.
Now the question has to be asked, is there anything that Anthony Weiner did that warranted the media attention towards him on such a level? Yes, he did cheat on his wife by sexting women, but in many cases issues like this are dealt with on a personal level and not garnering world news coverage. He made a mistake and his entire political life has completely unraveled due to the controversy and statements made by the media in light of his situation. The Documentary focuses more on the actions that he took to try to salvage his career and the steps he tried to take to distance himself from the situation rather than how the political world can destroy a career based on something so minimally to do with politics. Weiner will have you re-examining the way media represents our higher-ups in light of their decisions and personal choices that do not affect the greater population.
Friday April 29 at 3:30 p.m. Isabel Bader
Saturday April 30 at 1:00 p.m. Bloor Cinema
Friday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. Bloor Cinema
By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Documentary Films
It’s the most nonfictional time of the year.
With the kids all Hot Doc’ing
And everyone tell you to watch a Documentary.
It’s the most nonfictional time of the year!
Well, while they haven’t started writing carols to celebrate North America’s largest Documentary Film Festival, it’s only a matter of time. Starting on April 28th and running through May 8th, the Canadian International Documentary Festival is eleven days great nonfiction programming featuring the best Documentaries from over all over the world.
One of Toronto’s most accessible Film Festivals, Hot Docs prides itself on offering free daytime screenings to seniors (60+) and students. This year, they will also be offering close captioning and described audio at select screenings at both the TIFF Bell Lightbox and Scotiabank Theatre.
As Toronto gears up for Hot Docs here are some of our top picks for the Festival:
LEAGUE OF EXOTIQUE DANCERS
Directed by Rama Rau, the Opening Night Film features some of the best burlesque dancers of their day. Their day may have been a few decades ago but these ladies are artists of highest caliber. The Movie opens in Las Vegas at an induction ceremony for the Burlesque Hall of Fame and quickly sets the tone for a raunchy 90 minutes of fun and sequins. Using recent interviews and archival footage the audience is taken on a journey through the heyday of burlesque through to its sad downturn when strip clubs started demanding more pole dancing and nudity and less artistry. Rau is careful never to mock her subjects and treats them with unfaltering respect.
Thursday, April 28 at 9:45 p.m. Bloor Cinema
Friday, April 29 at 1:30 p.m. TBLB
AFTER CIRCUS
After clowns and aerialists retire from the circus they still close their eyes and dream of performing. Although their days flying through the air are often left behind due to injury or old age, their thirst for applause is more difficult to forget. In the tight knit community of Sarasota, Florida, these former circus-folk become family to one another and learn to apply the skills they learned in the ring for a new audience.
Warning: Not for people who suffer from coulrophobia.
Friday, April 29 at 9:15 p.m. TBLB
Sunday, May 1 at 1:15 p.m. Scotiabank
Saturday, May 7 at 1:00 p.m. Scotiabank
AIM FOR THE ROSES
Two artists who struggled for years to realize their dreams, the lives of Canadian daredevil Ken Carter and composer Mark Haney are intertwined through music. Carter’s dream of jumping the St. Lawrence River in a jet-powered car inspired Haney to write an album retelling the trials Carter suffered trying to make his dream a reality.
Sunday, May 1 at 7:15 p.m. Scotiabank
Monday, May 2 at 1:15 p.m. TBLB
Friday, May 6 at 1:00 p.m. Scotiabank
GOD KNOWS WHERE I AM
After leaving a healthcare system that continued to fail her, Linda Bishop survived for months on little more than apples and rain water in an abandoned farmhouse in New Hampshire. Her poignant story is revealed through diary excerpt and interviews.
Saturday, April 30 at 9:15 p.m. Scotiabank
Monday, May 2 at 12:15 p.m. TBLB
Saturday, May 7 at 9:30 p.m. Scotiabank
THE INCOMPARABLE ROSE HARTMAN
A woman described as “A Rose with many thorns,” Rose Hartman is a documentary photographer whose work is immediately recognizable. In an age when a woman standing up for herself was considered abrasive, Hartman proved herself to be in a class of her own taking photos of celebrities long before paparazzi became a byword amongst the elite.
Wednesday, May 4 at 9:00 p.m. Isabel Bader
Friday, May 6 at 11:00 a.m. Isabel Bader
Saturday, May 7 at 9:15 p.m. Fox Theatre
RAVING IRAN
Rebellion can take many forms. Susanne Regina Mueures’ Film introduces you to Anoosh and Arash, two young men who use music to escape the tyranny of the new Iranian regime. Dessert raves become a form of rebellion as Anoosh and Arash fight back against a system that tells them “if your music is political they’ll execute you.”
Sunday, May 1 at 4:15 p.m. Scotiabank
Tuesday, May 3 at 3:15 p.m. TBLB
Saturday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. TBLB
SPACESHIP EARTH
What if earth were simply a ship travelling through the galaxy and we were its crew? This Sarah Polley-narrated documentary challenges the viewer to look at the environment as an ever changing planetary species that we must care for before we destroy it forever. With interviews from scientists around the world, Kevin McMahon’s latest documentary pulls no punches as it confronts the human and environmental costs of everything from fossil fuels to apathy about the fate of the arctic.
Saturday, April 30 at 9:15 p.m. TBLB
Sunday, May 1 at 12: 30 p.m. Isabel Bader
Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m. Bloor Cinema
TOWER
The story of first mass shooting in the United States is told through animated recreations of first-hand witness accounts. This powerful documentary is sets the scene at the University of Texas where 16 people died as the result of one man’s actions on August 1, 1966.
Director Keith Maitland doesn’t use his platform to preach about gun control but instead paints a picture of both the victims and heroes of that day. From the opening scenes where a young, pregnant girl is shot walking with her boyfriend to the ongoing reports from a radio journalist on the ground, the Film draws the audience in and doesn’t let go until long after the credits have stopped running.
Sunday, May 1 at 9:30 p.m. TBLB
Monday, May 2 at 1:00 p.m. Isabel Bader
Friday, May 6 at 3:15 p.m. Hart House
UNDER THE GUN
While many documentaries struggle for years with small budgets and little outside support, Stephanie Soechtig’s latest Film did not. Executive produced and narrated by Katie Couric, the Movie already has distribution in the States through Lionsgate and yet will likely still have to fight an uphill battle for viewership.
As the Movie opens, the following chilling statistic is shared: “By the end o this Film 22 people will be shot and 6 will die.” Perhaps more chilling is that the day I saw this Movie the first notification I had on my phone after the screening was about yet another mass shooting in the States.
Somewhat manipulative and one-sided, this movie will make everyone think twice about the NRA and gun control in the States. Discussing everything from right to carry rifles into the local supermarket to laws that continue to tie the hands of the ATF, the filmmaker makes no apologies about which side of the gun control debate she sits on.
Tuesday, May 3 at 3:15 p.m. TBLB
Thursday May 5 at 9:30 p.m. Bloor Cinema
Sunday, May 8 at 9:30 p.m. Regent Cinema
Stay tuned in the coming days for reviews on more great documentaries coming to Hot Docs!
FULL SCHEDULE here.
By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Every Spring, Documentary lovers focus their attention in one direction: The Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival. The 23rd edition of the Festival boasts 232 documentaries including 71 Canadian or Canadian co-productions. With filmmakers from 51 countries, 40% of whom are women, Hot Docs remains a beacon of diverse programming.
The Festival will kick off on April 28th with the world premiere of Canadian Filmmaker Rama Rau’s League of Exotique Dancers. Over the 10 days that follow, an impressive schedule of Films will thrill festival goers with offerings from both first time Documentarians and masters of the craft. Here are a few titles to look out for when building your Hot Docs schedule.
Canadian music fans are sure to be enthralled with Spirit Unforgettable by Director Pete McCormack. The Film focuses on Spirit of the West frontman John Mann and his battle with early onset Alzheimer’s.
If there are still any outstanding questions abut the “trial of the century” Ezra Edleman’s five-episode, seven-and-a-half-hour Documentary series O.J. Simpson: Made in America intends to answer them. It will be screened both in its entirety and as of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series, which will include an extended Q&A with special guests.
One man transformed television in the 70’s. In Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing’s Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You, we meet the man who challenged the way American’s thought by bringing the difficult issues of the day into their living rooms on a nightly basis.
Sundance award winner Weiner will be making its Canadian debut at Hot Docs. Directors Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg turn their lens on a political melodrama that has to be seen to be believed.
Toronto arts lovers are no doubt familiar with the beautiful multidisciplinary production Contemporary Color from last year’s Luminato Festival. Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross will bring this spectacular show to the big screen during Hot Docs.
True cinephiles will need no more than the title of Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow’s new Film to be convinced to line up this highly-anticipated Documentary: De Palma.
A few must-sees for hardcore Documentary fans include Joe Berlinger’s Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru (also part of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series), Unlocking the Cage by Chris Hegedus and DA Pennebaker, and of course, Werner Herzog’s Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World.
Finally, the new DocX program will feature a single screening Canadian Matt Johnson’s Operation Avalanche. This Mockumentary about the moon landing premiered to rave reviews at Sundance and is guaranteed to be a hot ticket.
Last year Hot Docs brought together over 200,00 Documentary enthusiasts. Thanks to the stellar work of the Hot Docs Programming Team, that number is only going to increase in 2016.
The Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival will run from April 28 to May 8, 2016. More here.
By Justin Waldman
Hot Docs is a unique Film-going Experience that focuses exclusively on Documentaries. In the past years, the Film Festival has shown some truly phenomenal Documentaries that have given light to very serious issues and problems impacting the World we live in. As well, Hot Docs has also gone to the other end of the spectrum focusing on Icons, specifically last year with Carol Spinney and George Takei.
This year is no different as the topics spread a great range from the battle against Coal Miners to compliling the lost works and untold stories of Nirvana‘s Kurt Cobain. Hot Docs is not only a Documentary Festival for Doc Lovers, it’s a Festival for Film Lovers of all walks of life. It brings to the table everything from their Opening Night Movie, TIG, to the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series which features Films focusing on important issues, and spellbinding Documentaries that hit home emotionally.
Part of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series, TIG is the Story behind Comedienne Tig Notaro’s bravery in the face of Cancer, a powerful Piece that will move you. Also part of the Series is Danny, which is about the Canadian Politician who was fighting for a better life for the people living in Newfoundland and Labrador. Deep Web is another Title in the Big Ideas Program which explores the deepest, darkest parts of the Internet – just as terrifying and real on the level of Street Crime. Sweet Mickey for President also is a part of the Program, following the political run behind famed Musician Michel Martelly. Last but not least, Out To Win is a Film that speaks to the difficulty of being LGBT in the Sports Industry and how a few Trailblazers paved the way for Athletes and non-Athletes alike to live authentically.
On the other hand, there is a Show Me The Funny Program which features Documentaries surrounding great Comedians and their lives, whether it be hardship or their astounding ascents to stardom. Live From New York is part of this Series, which features the brilliance behind beloved Saturday Night Live. Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of National Lampoon focuses on the Magazine, and later the Franchise that launched the careers of some of the most famed Comedians of today. Monty Python: Meaning of Live is the perfect addition to this Program as it focuses on the members of Monty Python getting back together for their sellout Shows last year at the O2 Arena in London.
Lastly, some of the Documentaries that we have seen thus far have truly stood out to us and have garnered our recommendation and praise for their brilliance and powerful Storytelling. Welcome To Leith is a phenomenal Film that captures what happened to a small rural town North Dakota as it shortly, and most unfortunately becomes overrun with white supremacists, a great Movie that tells a Story hard to swallow. As well, Dreamcatcher is an intriguing look at Brenda Myers-Powell and her mission to help Girls on the street reach their true potential.
The Hot Docs Festival runs from Thursday, April 23 through to Sunday, May 3, 2015, ranging from a variety of cinemas in Toronto. More here.
(Photo credit: Hot Docs)
The Line-up for this year’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, running April 24 to May 4, 2014 has just been unveiled and as is always expected, we have eclectic batch of Films ready to be seen. From Sesame Street Star Big Bird to a Wrestling Superstar in Iron Sheik, there is something for every type of Filmgoer.
A List of Special Presentations are below:
CHILDREN 404
D: Askold Kurov, Pavel Loparev | Russia | 2014 | 70 min | World Premiere
An intimate firsthand account of how Russian’s LGBT youth have become defenseless after President Vladimir Putin passed a law forbidding “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors.”
A DANGEROUS GAME
D: Anthony Baxter | UK | 2014 | 90 min | World Premiere
In this explosive tale, everyday heroes battle against Donald Trump and a cast of greedy Goliaths who want to turn some of the earth’s most precious places into golf courses for the super-rich.
DEMONSTRATION
D: Victor Kossakovsky, 32 film students VVAA | Russia, Spain | 2013 | 70 min | Canadian Premiere
Legendary director Victor Kossakovsky sends 32 film students to document Barcelona’s massive and violent anti-austerity street protest in 2012. Set to an operatic score, his stunning collage transforms into a brilliant crowd-sourced street ballet.
EVERYDAY REBELLION
D: Arash T. Riahi, Arman T. Riahi | Austria, Switzerland, Germany | 2013 | 118 min | Canadian Premiere
What do topless Ukrainian women, Syrian dissidents and Wall Street Occupiers have in common? A colourful new tactic—creative non-violent protest. See why and how modern pacifism is winning in this slick tribute to disobedience.
THE GREAT INVISIBLE
D: Margaret Brown | USA | 2014 | 92 min | Canadian Premiere
With unprecedented access, this comprehensive documentary utilizes an investigative eye and a humanizing touch to examine the causes and impacts of 2010’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
I AM BIG BIRD: THE CAROLL SPINNEY STORY
D: Chad Walker, Dave LaMattina | USA | 2014 | 85 min | World Premiere
With an incredible archive of home videos, the story of Caroll Spinney reveals how a big heart and unstoppable talent created two of the world’s most beloved Muppets, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.
MISSION BLUE
D: Robert Nixon, Fisher Stevens | USA | 2013 | 95 min | Canadian Premiere
The trailblazing career of internationally renowned oceanographer and eco-activist Sylvia Earle is celebrated in this beautifully shot testament to her passionate commitment to saving the world’s oceans and its imperiled inhabitants.
POINT AND SHOOT
D: Marshall Curry | USA | 2014 | 82 min | International Premiere
Baltimore native Matthew VanDyke shares extraordinary visual tales of his adventures motorcycling across the Middle East—including when he joins forces with Libyan rebels to oust Muammar Gaddafi, is captured and held in solitary confinement for six months.
RETURN TO HOMS
D: Talal Derki | Syria, Germany | 2013 | 87 min | Canadian Premiere
Filmed over the course of two years, Sundance World Cinema Grand Jury Prize-winner Return to Homs takes us into the lives of two friends caught in the middle of the raging civil war in Syria.
RICH HILL
D: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos | USA | 2014 | 92 min | International Premiere
In a small rural town, three young residents find themselves dreaming big but living small in this achingly beautiful, Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning depiction of adolescence.
SACRO GRA
D: Gianfranco Rosi | Italy, France | 2013 | 93 min | Canadian Premiere
Following the stories and endeavours of citizens living and working along the giant ring road that encircles Rome, this Venice Golden Lion winner paints an enchanting portrait of everyday moments in The Eternal City.
THE SHEIK
D: Igal Hecht | Canada | 2014 | 95 min | World Premiere
Every hero needs a villain. Without the Iron Sheik there could be no Hulkamania. Khosrow Vaziri’s transformation from Olympic wrestler to American pop culture icon is a personal and emotional tale that will “make you humble.”
UKRAINE IS NOT A BROTHEL
D: Kitty Green | Australia, Ukraine | 2013 | 80 min | Canadian Premiere
Ukraine’s gorgeous group of topless feminist activists, FEMEN, take off their shirts to take on their government, exposing gender inequality and government corruption through their provocative public protests.
WHITEY: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. JAMES J. BULGER
D: Joe Berlinger | USA | 2014 | 90 min | Canadian Premiere
Oscar-nominated director Joe Berlinger strips away the myths surrounding infamous Boston gangster and FBI informant James “Whitey” Bulger, exposing the truth behind his criminal empire and revealing shocking new allegations of government corruption and complicity.
More details here on how you can get Tickets and the Festival Schedule!
(Photo credit: Copper Pot Pictures)
Between April 25 through May 5, 2013, Toronto will once again host the Hot Docs Film Festival, now in its 20th year. The Festival is an annual staple for our City’s truest Film Lovers. This year’s Opening Night slot goes to The Manor, screening at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on April 25, 2013. The Documentary follows Filmmaker Shawney Cohen as he returns home to a small town in Ontario, reuniting with his 400-pound Father, 85-pound Mother and assisting his Brother in running their Family Business – a Strip Club adjoining a 32-room Motel. Unconventional.
Also walking-in with a bit of buzz are Alias, a Documentary about Toronto Rappers and Last Woman Standing, which follows World Champion boxers and former Friends, Ariane Fortin and Mary Spencer, as they fight each other for an Olympic Dream.
The Hot Docs Box Office is situated at Hazelton Lanes Shopping Centre, lower level at 87 Avenue Road.
Read more about this year’s Films right here.
(Photo credit: Six Island Productions)
Telefilm Canada and the Talent Fund are welcoming 18 new filmmaking teams with this year’s selection of projects in the Talent to Watch Program. The lineup presents films from across the country, covering both English and French markets, as well as the Indigenous Stream. A commitment of $3.6 million will be invested into these projects by Telefilm and the Talent Fund.
“Films from the Talent to Watch Program consistently shine a spotlight on emerging talent spread across the country,” said Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO, Telefilm Canada. “The opportunity we give to propel their careers as filmmakers and establish themselves amongst our nation’s vibrant film community is one we take pride in. This year’s selections present a dynamic range of cinematic gems, and we cannot wait to see the final product.”
“Investing in the next generation of filmmakers is at the heart of the Talent Fund, and we are honoured to support this year’s cohort on their first feature journey,” said Sandi Treliving, Chair of the Talent Fund Advisory Committee. “Through the generosity of our donors, like the continued support from the RBC Foundation through RBC Emerging Artists and a new contribution from Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada, these emerging filmmakers are given a chance to bring their distinctive visions into reality. Canada is full of incredible talent with stories that need to be seen and heard – and the Talent Fund will continue to ensure that happens.”
Film teams and their projects come from coast-to-coast-to-coast, with projects from Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Alberta and more. There is also a strong linguistic diversity in this year’s selections, with films told in majority Spanish, Farsi, Wayuunaiki, in addition to English and French. Overall, 126 projects were submitted to the Talent to Watch Program for 2023-2024.
This year’s films are:
A Cree Approach (Documentary)
Director/screenwriter: Tristin Greyeyes
Producers: Kaitlyn Redcrow and Tristin Greyeyes
Province: British Columbia
Languages: English and Nehīyaw (Plains Cree)
Stream: Indigenous Stream
Partner organization: imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Autonomy & Dignity (Working Title) (Documentary)
Directors: Daniel Ennett and Frederick Kroetsch
Screenwriter: Daniel Ennett
Producer: Rebecca Campbell
Province: Alberta
Language: English
Stream: Industry Partner
Partner organization: Directors Guild of Canada
Blue Heron (Drama)
Director/screenwriter: Sophy Romvari
Producers: Ryan Bobkin and Sara Wylie
Executive Producer: Riel Roch Decter
Province: British Columbia
Languages: English and Hungarian
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
Con Nhang I Enfants d’encens (Documentary)
Director/screenwriter: Eva-Loan Ponton-Pham
Producer: Marie-Michèle Cyr
Province: Québec
Languages: French and Vietnamese
Stream: Industry Partner
Partner organization: HotDocs
El Padrote (Drama)
Director/screenwriter: Andrés Estrada
Producer: Irène Bessone
Province: Québec
Language: Spanish
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
Foreigner (Horror)
Director/screenwriter: Ava Maria Safai
Producer: Nicco Graham
Province: British Columbia
Languages: English and Farsi
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
Her Last Supper (Drama)
Director/screenwriter: Becca Willow Moss
Producers: Becca Willow Moss and Stephanie Chiasson
Province: Ontario
Languages: English
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
Invisibles (Drama)
Director/screenwriter: Junna Chif
Producers: Leslie Dabit and Pierre Villepelet
Executive Producers: Laurent Allaire, Yanick Létourneau and Junna Chif
Province: Québec
Language: French
Stream: Industry Partner
Partner organization: Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema – Concordia University
Joan’s Kitchen Table: Stirring the Revolution (Documentary)
Director: Olesya Shyvikova
Screenwriter: Louise Delisle
Producer: Karim Kafafy
Executive Producer: Walter Borden
Province: Nova Scotia
Language: English
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
KUBANA (Documentary)
Director/screenwriter: Alunaya
Producer: Will Prosper
Province: Québec
Languages: English, French and Kinyarwanda
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
Last Stop Video Rentals (Comedy)
Director/screenwriter: Eric Janvier
Producer: Megan Shott
Province: Alberta
Language: English
Stream: Indigenous Stream
Mute Out Sound (Documentary)
Director/screenwriter: Kenza Derkaoui
Producer: Stefan Supplice
Province: Ontario
Languages: French, English, and Arabic (Darija)
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
Séga : la musique de l’océan Indien (Working Title) (Documentary)
Director/screenwriter: Vincent Toi
Producer: Guillaume Collin
Province: Québec
Language: French
Stream: Industry Partner
Partner organization: Main Film
Strong Son (Drama)
Director/screenwriter: Ian Bawa
Producers: Ian Bawa and Markus Henkel
Executive Producer: Kyle Bornais
Province: Manitoba
Languages: English and Punjabi
Stream: Industry Partner
Partner organization: TIFF, Winnipeg Film Group, and OnScreen Manitoba
The Snake (Dark Comedy)
Director: Jenna MacMillan
Screenwriter: Susan Kent
Producers: Sharlene Kelly
Province: Prince Edward Island
Language: English
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
The Wind’s Thirst (Documentary)
Director/screenwriter/producer: Alejandro Valbuena
Province: Ontario
Languages: Wayuunaiki, Spanish, and English
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
Women of No Nation (Documentary)
Director/screenwriter: Diana Saqeb Jamal
Producer: Caroline Cox
Province/Territory: Northwest Territories and Alberta
Languages: Farsi and English
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
Yo, We’re Dying… (Comedy)
Directors: Keisha Phoenixx-McLeggon and Jay Carolyn Wu
Screenwriter: Keisha Phoenixx-McLeggon
Producer: Fonna Seidu
Province: Ontario
Language: English
Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct
An advisory committee of external and internal representatives assessed the projects and made recommendations to Telefilm. The decision-making process considered Telefilm’s goal of fostering a diversity of voices in the industry, ensuring that Telefilm funds a balanced portfolio of productions that reflect a variety of genres, budgets and company sizes, regions of the country and points of view. Names of selection committee members will be published on the Project Financing Advisory Committees webpage once all funding decisions have been made.
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