There is no doubt that Olivia Rodrigo is a global megastar, hence it was no surprise that she touched down in Toronto this long weekend in what was an absolute takeover! Rodrigo brought her GUTS Tour, in support of her sophomore album of the same title, for two nights to Scotiabank Area, selling-out completely.

AMEX also sponsored a three-day pop-up at Queen x Ossington called THE GUTS GALLERY, partnering together with Rodrigo‘s Canadian label Universal Music Canada. The immersive experience gave fans a chance to connect with Rodrigo‘s glittery-angst aesthetic and it was a huge hit with two long lines forming around the building with queues said to be four-plus hours long at one point to get in.

Above this, CRUMBL COOKIES also have partnered with Rodrigo on a fun initiative where you for the week you could get GUTS-themed cookies at their Heartland Shopping Centre store. Missed out? They’ll be back in August!

The three-time Grammy winner dazzled in shimmery costumes designed by Heather Picchiottino as fans screamed their hearts out. Whether Rodrigo is rocking-out to ’90s-inspired Alt-Rock bangers or hitting us in the feels with her intimate Bedroom Pop balladry, she is an absolute presence on-stage, all eyes completely on her. And did we mention how punctual she was? She was on promptly and everyone got to go home at a reasonable time. That’s refreshing!

Though Rodrigo has only two albums to her credit, she had plenty of material to go on, and even threw-in “You Can’t Catch Me Now” from “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes“, and also new single “Obsessed” from an upcoming re-release of GUTS.

We struggled getting into the Pop-Up before giving up, we struggled to get tickets and struggled even to get the cookies, but it was all so worth it in the end!

Some highlights from Rodrigo‘s Toronto takeover weekend:

A gallery:

The GUTS Tour heads next to Boston!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s a monstrous opening for GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE, taking a smashing $75 million from 3,861 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 55% on the Tomatometer and bests 2021’s GODZILLA vs. KONG by more than double, that one bowing with $31 million.

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE finds itself in second with $15.5 million from 4,345 theatres for Sony Pictures, a two week total of $73.2 million.

Third spot goes to DUNE: PART TWO with $10.6 million, a total $251 million domestically, over five weeks for Warner Bros.

Fourth is KUNG FU PANDA 4 with $10 million, a four week run of $151 million for Universal Pictures.

IMMACULATE rounds this Top Five out with $3.2 million, a two week total $11 million for NEON/Elevation Pictures.

Jerry Seinfeld‘s back and in a huge, star-studded way with UNFROSTED! Today we get a new Trailer for this upcoming feature starring, written and directed by Seinfeld! Arrives May 3, 2024 on Netflix.

SYNOPSIS: Battle Creek, Michigan, 1963. Kellogg’s and Post, sworn cereal rivals, race to create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast forever. A wildly imaginative tale of ambition, betrayal, and menacing milkmen – sweetened with artificial ingredients – UNFROSTED stars Jerry Seinfeld in his directorial film debut. It features a supporting cast of comedy greats including Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Hugh Grant, Amy Schumer, Max Greenfield, Christian Slater, Sarah Cooper, Bill Burr, and many more.

DIRECTED BY: Jerry Seinfeld
WRITTEN BY: Jerry Seinfeld, Spike Feresten, Andy Robin, Barry Marder
PRODUCERS: Jerry Seinfeld, Spike Feresten, Beau Bauman
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Andy Robin, Barry Marder, Cherylanne Martin
CAST: Jerry Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Hugh Grant, Amy Schumer, Max Greenfield, Christian Slater, Bill Burr, Daniel Levy, James Marsden, Jack McBrayer, Thomas Lennon, Bobby Moynihan, Adrian Martinez, Sarah Cooper, Fred Armisen

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Paramount+ today debuted the teaser trailer for the highly anticipated third season of the original drama series MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, which will premiere on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Canada and the U.S., and begin rolling out on June 3, 2024 in all other Paramount+ international markets. Starring Oscar® nominee Jeremy Renner, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN is co-created by Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan and Canadian Hugh Dillon, and is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions exclusively for Paramount+.

In season three, a series of explosions rock Kingstown and its citizens, as a new face of the Russian mob sets up shop in the city, and a drug war rages inside and outside prison walls. The pressure is on Mike McLusky (Renner) to end the war but things get complicated when a familiar face from his incarcerated past threatens to undermine the Mayor’s attempts to keep the peace among all factions.

In addition to Renner, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN stars an impressive ensemble cast, including series regulars Hugh Dillon, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird, Tobi Bamtefa, Derek Webster, Nishi Munshi, Hamish Allan-Headley and Michael Beach.

The series is executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon, Jeremy Renner, Antoine Fuqua, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, Dave Erickson, Regina Corrado and Keith Cox.

MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN is part of Sheridan’s growing slate on Paramount+, which includes YELLOWSTONE, 1923, 1883, TULSA KING, LAWMEN: BASS REEVES, SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS and the upcoming series LANDMAN, which is currently in production and stars Billy Bob Thornton.

The first and second seasons are available to binge exclusively on Paramount+.

For more information about Paramount+ and MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlusCA and @MayorOfKingstown on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and @Kingstown on X.

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Caribbean, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latin America, South Korea, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlusCA on social media.

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to a Advance Screening of ABIGAIL. Screenings take place as follows on Wednesday, April 17, 2024:

Toronto: Scotiabank Theatre
Montreal: Cinema Banque Scotia

Synopsis:

Children can be such monsters. 

After a group of would-be criminals kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, all they have to do to collect a $50 million ransom is watch the girl overnight. In an isolated mansion, the captors start to dwindle, one by one, and they discover, to their mounting horror, that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.  

From Radio Silence—the directing team of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett behind the terrifying modern horror hits Ready or Not, 2022’s Scream and last year’s Scream VI—comes a brash, blood-thirsty new vision of the vampire flick, written by Stephen Shields (The Hole in the Ground, Zombie Bashers) and Guy Busick (Screamfranchise, Ready or Not). 

Abigail stars Melissa Barrera (Scream franchise, In the Heights), Dan Stevens (Gaslit, Legion), Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Freaky), William Catlett (Black Lightning, True Story), Kevin Durand (Resident Evil: Retribution, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Angus Cloud (Euphoria, North Hollywood) as the kidnappers and Alisha Weir (Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical,Darklands) as Abigail. 

The film is produced by William Sherak (Scream franchise, Ready or Not), Paul Neinstein (Scream franchise; executive producer, The Night Agent) and James Vanderbilt (Zodiac, Scream franchise) for Project X Entertainment, by Tripp Vinson (Ready or Not, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) and by Radio Silence’s Chad Vilella (executive producer Ready or Not and Scream franchise). The executive producers are Ron Lynch and Macdara Kelleher. 

Genre: Horror         

Cast: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud and Giancarlo Esposito

Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett

Written by: Stephen Shields, Guy Busick

Producers: William Sherak, Paul Neinstein, James Vanderbilt, Tripp Vinson, Chad Villella 

Executive Producers: Ron Lynch, Macdara Kelleher

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate which city you are requesting for in the comments there. You can share this from our X account or IG stories for an extra chance, tagging us!

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release ABIGAL April 19, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

HAILEY ROSE arrives in theatres April 5, 2024 via Sphere Films! Today we get a new Trailer!

Synopsis:

Set on the beautiful Nova Scotia coast, Hailey Rose is a contemporary family comedy about love in all its expressions. Hailey’s (Em Haine, Fargo) at a personal crossroads when her frantic sister calls with news compelling her to return home – only to discover a stunning surprise waiting for her. A tragic yet heart-warming tale about running away, facing your past and accepting your loved ones, old and new.

Director: Sandi Somers
Cast: Em Haine, Kari Matchett, Caitlynne Medrek, Francine Deschepper, Riley Reign

Participating theatres:

April 5:
Calgary, Alberta
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Toronto, Ontario
*Additional markets to be announced

Hailey Rose has screened at festivals across the country, notably Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, Canadian Film Fest, Calgary International Film Festival, Whistler Film Festival.

(Photo/video credit: Sphere Films)

Prime Video today revealed the official trailer for luxury real estate series, Luxe Listings Toronto, premiering on April 26. Based on the hit Australian Original, Luxe Listings Sydney, the Toronto-based edition follows one of the most cutthroat real estate markets on the planet, showcasing high-stakes multimillion-dollar listings in Canada’s largest city. Top agents Peter and Paige Torkan, founders of Team Torkan, and Brett Starke, founder of The Starke Group, provide a revealing glimpse into navigating the hyper-competitive real estate market of Toronto for the very first time. Luxe Listings Toronto is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in Canada enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership for just CAD$ 9.99/month or best value CAD$ 99.99/year.

Set against Toronto’s iconic backdrop, the series showcases the most prominent neighbourhoods from The Bridle Path to Forest Hill, Yorkville, downtown Toronto and beyond. The luxe market demands a high attention to detail in order to succeed and this trio of Canada’s top real estate titans are all in. Peter and Paige Torkan have sold over 1.6B dollars in luxury real estate in the Greater Toronto Area, working hard to build their empire after immigrating to Canada from Iran. Brett Starke built his thriving real estate venture, The Starke Group, at a young age, mastering the art and approach to real estate with a mentorship mindset at the forefront. As the demand of the market increasingly changes, each agent is willing to do what it takes to represent the best-in-class of real estate. Luxe Listings Toronto is produced by MEM with executive producers Angela Jennings, Nanci MacLean and Scott McGillivray. The series is an adaptation of the Australian Original, Luxe Listings Sydney from Kentel and Eureka Productions.

Luxe Listings Toronto is part of Prime Video’s Canadian Original slate that includes Three Pines, The Kids in the Hall, LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, LOL: Qui rira le dernier?, All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs and upcoming series The Sticky, Nuit Blanche and more. Since 2015, Amazon MGM Studios, as well as MGM Television and MGM+ Studios have produced and commissioned more than 40 series and films that have been shot in Canada, including The Boys, Gen V, Reacher, and The Handmaid’s Tale in Ontario; Fargo and Billy The Kid in Alberta; The Man in the High Castle and Upload in British Columbia; Tales from the Loop in Manitoba; as well as parts of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Voyeurs in Quebec.

The series will join the thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and around the world in the Prime Video catalog, including award-winning and critically acclaimed Originals like Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, award-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Fleabag, and more.

Prime members will be able to watch the series anywhere and anytime on the Prime Video app for smart TVs, mobile devices, Fire TV, Fire TV stick, Fire tablets, Apple TV, and stream online. In the Prime Video app, Prime members can download episodes on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost. Prime Video is available in Canada at no extra cost to a Prime membership for just CAD$ 99/year or CAD$ 9.99/month (plus applicable taxes), new customers can find out more at www.primevideo.com and subscribe to a free 30-day trial.

The winner of Canada’s Got Talent’s Million Dollar Season receives a life-changing prize of $1M – the biggest cash prize in Canadian television history – thanks to Rogers, plus financial advice from CIBC. And that’s not all! Every Golden Buzzer recipient will receive $25,000 (totalling $150,000), courtesy of CIBC, to help realize their ambitions.

Together with Canada’s Got Talent, Rogers is committed to investing in premium original Canadian content while fostering homegrown talent. Last year, Rogers contributed approximately $950M to Canadian content and produced over 12,700 hours of unique Canadian programming.

Tonight’s Performances (Tuesday, March 26)

DUO DESIRE – Stunt

Las Vegas, USA
Check Out DUO DESIRE’s Performance

DANA SCHIEMANN – Musician

Toronto, ON

Check Out DANA SCHIEMANN’s Performance

NICOLAS RIBS – Magic Act

Lyon, France

Check Out NICOLAS RIBS’ Performance

REBECCA STRONG – Singer/Musician

Prince Albert, SK

Check Out REBECCA STRONG’s Performance

TRAVIS LINDSAY – Comedy Act

Halifax, NS
Check Out TRAVIS LINDSAY’s Performance

SAM BABIN – Singer/Musician

Moncton, NB
Check Out SAM BABIN’s Performance 

MEGAN & CAMERON – Dance Act

Charlottetown, PEI

Check Out MEGAN & CAMERON’s Performance 

**COMING UP**

A Sneak Peek at Next Week’s Contestants (April 2, 2024)

FUNKANOMETRY– Dance Act

Vancouver Island, BC

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

DANIEL POWTER – Singer/Musician

Vernon, BC
CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

STEVE KASE – Novelty

Toronto, ON
CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

MITCHELL HRYCAN – Magic Act

Saskatoon, SK

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

THERE IS A BALL ON MY HEAD – Novelty

Montreal, QC
CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

AIR SUP ACROYOGA – Novelty

Ste-Agathe des Monts, QC

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

TROY JAMES – Novelty

Brampton, ON

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

MARK LEWIS – Magic Act

Toronto, ON

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

NATALIE MORRIS – Singer/Musician

Toronto, ON

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

Canada’s Got Talent is produced by MEM Inc., and Fremantle, in association with Citytv, a division of Rogers Sports & Media based on the Got Talent format owned by Fremantle and SYCO Entertainment.

The highly anticipated Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival returns to Toronto from April 25 to May 5, 2024, promising an unparalleled celebration of non-fiction storytelling on a global scale. From 2800 film submissions, this year’s slate will present 168 documentaries representing 64 countries across 16 diverse programs and will feature 51 world and 32 international premieres. Hot Docs continues its commitment to gender parity with 54% female directors represented in the official selection. Furthermore, alongside the premieres of remarkable Canadian and international documentaries, the 2024 Festival will offer an extensive lineup of industry programs and events.

“I am excited to embark on my first Hot Docs Festival as President,” shared Marie Nelson, Hot Docs’ President. “There is something so extraordinary about what this Festival represents: the opportunity to unite with fellow documentary lovers to share in the collective experience of being amongst the first audiences to witness unforgettable stories of human power. We strive to continue bringing this experience to Toronto audiences for years to come, and hope that doc lovers—both seasoned and new—will come out to support us in this and take in the remarkable lineup of films showcased at this year’s Festival.”

The 2024 Hot Docs Festival will open with the international premiere of Luther: Never Too Much, directed by award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter, on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 PM at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema. This remarkable film delivers a stirring portrait of music sensation Luther Vandross, as the film charts his creative journey, his larger-than-life path to stardom, and the creation of his most memorable songs.

The Big Ideas Series, presented by Scotia Wealth Management, will once again spark engaging conversations with notable guests, including filmmaker Barry Avrich and subject Sash Simpson of Born Hungry; director Pete Sillen and subjects Martine and Bina Rothblatt of Love Machina; co-directors Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau and subjects Julia Botelho Morgan and Amber Forte of Fly; director Gary Hustwit of Eno; and director Lucy Lawless of Never Look Away.

The Special Presentations program, showcasing high-profile films, festival circuit heavy hitters, and renowned subjects, includes the world premieres of Red Fever, which sees Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond travel to the four corners of Turtle Island and across Europe to explore the world’s fascination with Native Americans; American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly, in which hilarious Full Frontal with Samantha Bee correspondent Amy Hoggart explores the controversial practice of declawing cats; The Ride Ahead, an expansion of co-director Samuel Habib’s short film My Disability Roadmap (Honourable Mention, Best International Short Documentary, Hot Docs Festival 2022), capturing a typical 21-year-old itching to move out, start a career and find love—all while navigating life with a disability; Lost in the Shuffle, which follows world champion magician Shawn Farquhar as he simultaneously devises a new trick and delves into a medieval murder cold case; and Le Mans 55: The Unauthorized Investigation, which explores the tragic Le Mans race in 1955 where more than 80 spectators were killed.

Canadian Spectrum Competition, a competitive program showcasing bold new works by Canadian directors, includes the world premieres of A French Youth, following two young North African men in the South of France seeking to take life by the horns quite literally as they compete to survive in the traditional sport of Camargue races; Curl Power, following five high school girlfriends as they pursue their dreams of becoming Canadian National Curling Champions; Karuara, People of the River, in which a group of Indigenous women from Peru—facing cultural genocide—file a groundbreaking lawsuit demanding the government recognize the Marañón River as a person with human rights itself; My Dad’s Tapes, in which a trove of home video tapes spurs a filmmaker to investigate his father’s sudden suicide and come to terms with his own identity; Fire Tower, in which sentinels survey dramatic and awe-inspiring landscapes high above the boreal forest as a critical first line of defence in wildfire detection; and Me, Michael and I, in which an ambitious young Quebecois man sacrifices everything in his obsession to resurrect the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The Canadian Spectrum Competition is presented in partnership with MUBI.

International Competition, a competitive program spotlighting engaging stories from around the globe, includes a compelling lineup of world premieres: The Weavers’ Songs explores life in San Pedro Amuzgos, Oaxaca, where weaving transcends mere livelihood to become a vital economic backbone; Standing Above the Clouds chronicles the journey of three Native Hawaiian families as they risk it all to defend their sacred mountain where the Thirty Meter Telescope is set to be built on Mauna Kea; Farming the Revolution follows the protests of half a million of India’s farmers as they rise up on an unprecedented scale against unjust new laws; Streets Loud with Echoes observes a society learning to raise its voice, despite decades of fear and oppression, after the murder of a young Olympic skater galvanizes Kazakhstanis; XiXi explores themes of womanhood, autonomy and self-reinvention through video diaries and personal archive; Devi captures mother, rebel warrior, and sexual violence survivor, Devi, as she battles personal demons in her campaign against rape’s erasure from the narrative of Nepal’s civil war; and The Fabulous Gold Harvesting Machine follows Toto’s quest for a better future after 40 years working in a mine, as his son Jorge attempts to build a gold harvesting machine to secure their retirement. The International Spectrum program is supported by the Donner Canadian Foundation.

The new Festival strand Festival Favourites is a specially curated selection of feature-length documentaries that have made their mark on the festival circuit, proving their mettle with festival audiences and critics alike. It will spotlight some of the most timely, topical and well-crafted docs from fellow global documentary film festivals. International premieres include Daughter of Genghis, chronicling seven years in the life of Gerel, a violent neo-nationalist struggling with motherhood and her role leading a gang of women in the underworld of Mongolia’s capital city, and Daughters (Winner, Sundance Festival 2024 Audience Award in Documentary Competition), capturing the first physical touch four young girls will have with their incarcerated fathers as part of a special Daddy-Daughter Dance in a Washington, D.C. prison. North American premieres include Son of the Mullah, the story of a journalist risking life and limb in his reporting on Iran in order to expose corruption in the Islamic Regime, and This Is Going to Be Big, a peek behind the curtain as a cast of neurodivergent teens prepare to hit the stage in their school’s time-travelling, John Farnham–themed musical.

A showcase of recent works from Spain will make up the dynamic Made In program, offering Hot Docs audiences the opportunity to immerse themselves into a rich tapestry of captivating, uniquely Spanish stories and discover the talented voices emerging from Spain’s vibrant documentary landscape. Made In Spain will include the world premieres of The Click Trap, in which investigative journalists and online activists reveal the unsettling reach of the unregulated digital advertising industry; Flying Hands, in which a Pakistani mother questions the custom that would have her hide her deaf child out of family shame; and Wild Gleaming Space, in which a chilling encounter deep in Panama’s untamed jungle triggers a personal exploration of life and death. Made In Spain is presented in collaboration with ICEX Spain Trade and Investment.

The World Showcase program features revelatory stories that span the globe, including the world premieres of Breaking the Cycle, an exploration of Thailand’s recent elections, where a group of young politicians campaigned against an authoritarian constitution; Helen and the Bear, the story of the unlikely 40-year bond between a rebellious young hippie and a U.S. Congressman known for challenging his own Republican party; and The Sharp Edge of Peace, in which four extraordinary women navigate the harsh reality of Afghanistan’s new chapter—and its political impact on women’s rights—while at the negotiating table with the Taliban.

The Pop/Life strand shares the artistry of impactful musical visionaries and events in music history that changed the artform forever, and will present the world premieres of Beethoven’s Nine, directed by Larry Weinstein and exploring how Beethoven’s final completed symphony continues to resonate 200 years later; and Disco’s Revenge, the true story of disco music and the communities who hustled for their freedom on the dance floor.

The popular Nightvision program presents future cult classics, including the international premiere of Secret Mall Apartment, the remarkable story of a group of Rhode Islanders who create a clandestine apartment inside the local mall in defiant protest of gentrification; the North American premiere of Invisible People, an exploration of Japanese Butoh, the unique contemporary dance born from natural experience that represents a communion between the living and the dead; and the Canadian premiere of Grand Theft Hamlet, in which two out-of-work-during-the-pandemic British actors attempt the impossible: mounting a full-scale production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet inside Grand Theft Auto Online.

The acclaimed Persister program will feature films that shine a light on the voices of strong, inspirational women who are speaking up and being heard, including the world premieres of The Day Iceland Stood Still, the true story of how Iceland became a world leader in gender equality when, in 1975, 90% of Iceland’s women walked off their jobs and out of their homes; A Mother Apart, an emotional tale of healing and forgiveness that follows powerhouse Jamaican American poet and LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin as she embarks on an international journey to re-imagine the art of mothering; and Synchrony, in which, isolated on an island, an elderly woman embraces freedom by open-sea swimming with sea lions, while a champion swimmer tests her endurance in the world’s iciest of waters.  An Unfinished Journey will have its North American premiere, it tells the important story of four Afghan women leaders who struggle to keep the world’s attention on the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan.

Land|Sky|Sea Competition is a new thematic film program exploring nature and our relationship to it, and features the world premiere of The Here Now Project, which constructs an international diary of the impact of climate change using thousands of hours of in-the-moment footage, and the international premiere of Family Tree, which uses a cinema vérité approach in sharing the story of two Black families in North Carolina fighting to preserve their land and generational legacy of sustainable forestry. Receiving a North American premiere is Once Upon a Time in a Forest, in which 22-year-old Ida becomes the leader of the new Forest Movement and finds himself facing off with Finnish forest industry giants. Land|Sky|Sea is supported by the K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation.

Emergence, a new programming slate that highlights stories of our complicated relationship with technology and AI, will include the world premiere of Ari’s Theme, a Canadian documentary about an award-winning composer with type-2 spinal muscular atrophy, and in which a kaleidoscopic creative process leads him to question the meaning of legacy. The program will also feature the international premieres of Love Machina, which follows a couple’s commissioning of an “AI mindfile” that uses cryopreservation, digital consciousness, xenotransplantation and space settlement, in order to extend their romance into infinity, and Seeking Mavis Beacon, in which two detectives seek out the Haitian-born cover model of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing—the software that taught millions globally how to type—who vanished decades ago.

Hot Docs will again partner with European Film Promotion (EFP) for the seventh edition of The Changing Face of Europe, a pan-European showcase of documentaries that explore the cultural, economic and political conditions affecting Europe today. The Changing Face of Europe will include the world premiere of Kelly – Someone Else’s Dream, in which freestyle skier Kelly Sildaru—just 13 when she won gold at the 2016 Winter X Games—sets a new standard for sports bravery by breaking her silence on the abuse of her coach and father. International premieres include Norwegian Democrazy, documenting the street-level battle for democracy after an anti-Islam racist publicly burns the Qu’ran and hides behind freedom of expression laws, and Woman of God, in which an underpaid and undermined Slovenian village pastor pours her heart and raw personal trauma into ministering to her parishioners.

The Art of Resistance program celebrates the intersection of protest and creativity, with films that illuminate the profound impact of collective voices rallying for change and offer a glimmer of hope. The Art of Resistance will include the world premieres of Impasse, in which a woman engages in conversations with her conservative family amidst the Women, Life, Freedom protesters in Tehran, in hopes of maintaining bonds across three generations under the pressures of a shifting society, and The Strike, which follows the psychological and emotional journeys of California prisoners as they organize the largest hunger strike in US history. The program will also include the international premiere of Nice Ladies, in which members of a 50+ women’s cheerleading team chose to stay behind as Russia began bombing Kharkiv, Ukraine, using their sport they keep sane and connected even as cracks appear.

Hot Docs will present a specially curated selection of Canadian and international short films as part of the Festival’s Shorts Programs. These shorts will screen as part of seven individual shorts programs, each one aiming to excite and inspire with its unique collection of fresh filmmaking talent. The Hot Docs 2024 Shorts Program brings 36 films from 20 countries.

Hot Docs Festival 2024 Special Events include a free commemorative screening of Mighty Jerome in memory of the work and legacy of one of Toronto’s best loved filmmakers, Charles Officer, with some of Charles’s closest collaborators and friends be in attendance to share interviews, personal stories and rarely seen footage of the acclaimed writer/director/producer; a Keynote Session featuring the highly regarded filmmaker, author and organizer Astra Taylor, engaging in an illuminating conversation hosted by Brett Story, renowned writer, geographer, and filmmaker behind the Sundance award-winning film Union; two Surprise Screenings, offering audiences the chance to be amongst the very first to experience a groundbreaking new feature-length documentary; and a free encore screening on the Festival’s final night—Sunday, May 5—where the winner of this year’s Rogers Audience Award for Best Canadian Documentary will be announced. The top Canadian feature film in the audience poll will receive a CAD 50,000 cash prize, courtesy of Rogers.

The 2024 Outstanding Achievement Award will honour visionary Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck, whose unparalleled contributions to the world of documentary filmmaking have garnered widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. The Festival will feature a handpicked selection of films curated by Peck, showcasing both a personal favorite and a work that has influenced him. Peck will be in attendance at the Festival, engaging in Q&A sessions following the screenings of his films.

Hot Docs will honour Canadian cinematographer Iris Ng through its annual Focus On program, spotlighting the remarkable work of Canadian filmmakers and craftspeople who have left an indelible mark on the documentary landscape, showcasing their invaluable contributions to the art form. Iris Ng’s notable work turns a critical lens on social justice, marginalised communities, and the process of filmmaking itself.

Hot Docs (www.hotdocs.ca), North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, is 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 31st annual edition from April 25 to May 5, 2024, in cinemas across Toronto. 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. Year-round, Hot Docs supports the Canadian and international industry with professional development programs and a multi-million-dollar film fund portfolio, and fosters education through documentaries with its popular free program Docs For Schools. Hot Docs owns and programs 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.

Starting Tuesday, March 26, Festival ticket package holders, including Doc Soup subscribers, can redeem their ticket packages, and Hot Docs Members can purchase single tickets. Starting Tuesday, April 2, single tickets will be available to the public. Tickets and ticket packages can be purchased and/or redeemed 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 $20 to regular Festival screenings and $23 to Special Presentations screenings ($18-$20 members). Special events vary in price. A Festival 12-Pack is $209 and a Festival 20-Pack is $299. Hot Docs offers free tickets for all screenings before 5:00 p.m. to seniors and students with valid photo I.D., available online the day of the screening, subject to availability. Free screenings for students courtesy of CBC and CBC Gem.

Hot Docs is proud to include Scotia Wealth Management as its Presenting Platinum Partner; Rogers as its Founding Partner; CBC as its Signature Partner; Netflix as its Presenting Partner; and Telefilm Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the Canada Media Fund as its Major Supporters.

Based on Amor Towles‘ acclaimed novel, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW is set amidst the Bolshevik Revolution which would change Russia forever. At the center of the story is Alexander (Ewan McGregor), an Aristocrat who loses everything amidst the upheaval including his family, friends and riches, bound to house arrest for life at an opulent hotel. It is here that he finds love and beauty in its staff, guests and secrets he never before knew.

In town for a special Advance Screening and press was MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD, who not only is McGregor‘s spouse in real life, but also does a superb job playing a commanding movie star named Anna. Winstead did two full days of press in support of the new Paramount+ series which already is drawing raves.

Winstead spoke post-screening with Johanna Schneller about getting into her character through the Series’ fantastic costumes and set, plus the fun of playing opposite McGregor, and also working for the first time with an intimacy coordinator.

More below, including the evening’s highlights:

Paramount Pictures Canada release A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW March 29, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Paramount+ Canada)