#HOTDOCS: SPECIAL GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR HOT DOCS 2026

Hot Docs is thrilled to welcome intriguing film subjects, filmmakers and special guests to its 2026 Festival, taking place in Toronto April 23 to May 3. Special guests include Grammy Award-winning singer songwriter Kenny Loggins, artist and disability advocate April Hubbard, MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe, and as previously announced, investigative journalist and co-founder and host of Democracy Now! Amy Goodman, and award-winning queer rock icon Carole Pope.

Featured guests are listed below. In most cases, the guests will be present at one or more screenings.

Carole Pope from ANTIDIVA: THE CAROLE POPE CONFESSIONS (D: Michelle Mama | P: Bill Taylor | Canada | 2025 | 89 min) – Canadian singer songwriter, queer rock icon and lead singer of Rough Trade.

Kenny Loggins from KENNY LOGGINS: CONVICTION OF THE HEART (D: Dori Berinstein | P: Dori Berinstein | USA | 2025 | 96 min) – Grammy Award-winning singer songwriter.

April Hubbard from THE LAST DAYS OF APRIL (D: Ree Wright, Meaghan Wright | P: Ree Wright, Meaghan Wright, Melani Wood | Canada | 2026 | 75 min) – Halifax artist and disability advocate.

Chris DeWolfe from MYSPACE (D: Tommy Avallone | P: Van Toffler, Trent Johnson | USA | 2025 | 96 min) – Co-founder and former chief executive officer of MySpace.

Amy Goodman from STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! (D: Carl Deal, Tia Lessin | P: Carl Deal, Tia Lessin, Karen Ranucci, Diana Cohn, Caren Spruch | USA | 2026 | 102 min) – investigative journalist and co-founder and host of Democracy Now!

The 2026 Festival will also host over 200 of the world’s top documentary filmmakers and producers to introduce their films and participate in post-screening audience Q&As. Among those filmmakers in attendance are those listed below.

Michelle Mama, director of ANTIDIVA: THE CAROLE POPE CONFESSIONS (D: Michelle Mama | P: Bill Taylor | Canada | 2025 | 89 min)

Poh Si Teng, director of AMERICAN DOCTOR (D: Poh Si Teng | P: Poh Si Teng, Kirstine Barfod, Reem Haddad | USA, Palestine, Denmark, Malaysia, Qatar | 2026 | 93 min)

Sam Dunn, director of THE BALLAD OF JUDAS PRIEST (D: Tom Morello, Sam Dunn | P: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen | USA | 2026 | 98 min)

Maya Annik Bedward, director of BLACK ZOMBIE (D: Maya Annik Bedward | P: Maya Annik Bedward, Kate Fraser, Hannah Donegan | Canada | 2026 | 90 min)

Jeffrey McHale, director of IT’S DOROTHY! (D: Jeffrey McHale | P: Ariana Garfinkel, Zel McCarthy, Suzanne Zionts | USA | 2025 | 97 min)

Dori Berinstein, director of KENNY LOGGINS: CONVICTION OF THE HEART (D: Dori Berinstein | P: Dori Berinstein | USA | 2025 | 96 min)

Shalini Kantayya, director of LOVE APPTUALLY (D: Shalini Kantayya | P: Elizabeth Woodward | USA, Australia | 2026 | 81 min)

Tommy Avallone, director of MYSPACE (D: Tommy Avallone | P: Van Toffler, Trent Johnson | USA | 2025 | 96 min)

Kim Nguyen, director of SAIGON STORY: TWO SHOOTINGS IN THE FOREST KINGDOM (D: Kim Nguyen | P: Nabil Mehchi, Robert Vroom, Ariel Nasr | Canada | 2026 | 91 min)

Tia Lessin, director of STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! (D: Carl Deal, Tia Lessin | P: Carl Deal, Tia Lessin, Karen Ranucci, Diana Cohn, Caren Spruch | USA | 2026 | 102 min)

Monica Henriquez and Louis Massiah, directors of TCB – THE TONI CADE BAMBARA SCHOOL OF ORGANIZING (D: Louis Massiah, Monica Henriquez | P: Louis Massiah | USA, UK, Canada, France, Senegal | 2025 | 105 min)

Barry Avrich, director of THIS ABOVE ALL: THE THEATRICAL LIFE OF ANTONI CIMOLINO (D: Barry Avrich | P: Mark Selby, Barry Avrich | Canada | 2026 | 78 min)

Sara Dosa, director of TIME AND WATER (D: Sara Dosa | P: Shane Boris, Elijah Stevens, Jameka Autry, Sara Dosa | USA, Iceland | 2026 | 90 min)

Mark Myers, director of THE TOWER THAT BUILT A CITY (D: Mark Myers | P: Mark Myers, Luke Myers | Canada | 2026 | 92 min)

Raha Shirazi, director of A WAR ON WOMEN (D: Raha Shirazi | P: Marco Serrecchia, Marica Stocchi, Beatrice Bordone Bulgari, Gianluca Curti, Daniele Occhipinti, Luca Bradamante | Italy | 2026 | 102 min)

Dawn Porter, director of WHEN A WITNESS RECANTS (D: Dawn Porter | P: Dawn Porter, Jennifer Oko, Miriam Weintraub | 2026 | USA | 117 min)

For more information on Hot Docs, visit hotdocs.ca

Hot Docs (hotdocs.ca) is North America’s leading documentary festival, conference and market. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating the art of documentary and to creating production opportunities for documentary filmmakers, Hot Docs will present its 33rd annual edition in Toronto from April 23 to May 3, 2026. Hot Docs will also mount a dynamic series of knowledge sessions, networking opportunities and market programs for documentary practitioners and industry delegates, including the renowned Hot Docs Forum and Hot Docs Deal Maker. Since its inception in 1993, Hot Docs has supported the Canadian and international industry with professional development programs, production fund portfolio, and valuable professional development programs. The organization fosters education through documentaries with its popular free program Docs For Schools. Hot Docs also operates the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood and the world’s first and largest documentary cinema.

Tickets and ticket packages can be purchased and used online at www.hotdocs.ca or in person at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema Box Office, located at 506 Bloor Street West (hours vary daily in accordance with cinema screenings). Single tickets are $22 ($20 member) for regular screenings, and $27 ($24 member) for Opening Night and Big Ideas screenings. A Festival 12-Pack is $228 and a Festival 20-Pack is $340 ($216 and $320 members). Hot Docs offers free tickets for regular screenings before 4:00 p.m. to patrons 60+ and students with valid photo I.D., available in-person at the venue on the day of the screening, subject to availability.

Hot Docs is proud to include Rogers as its Founding Partner and Telefilm Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the Canada Media Fund as its Major Supporters.