#HOTDOCS: 2023 HOT DOCS CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL LINEUP

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, with the 2023 Festival taking place April 27 to May 7 in Toronto. From 2848 film submissions, this year’s slate will present 214 films from 72 countries in 13 programs and will feature 70 world and 33 international premieres. Over 100 official selections will also stream nationwide on Hot Docs at Home starting the final ... Read more

#HOTDOCS: “MIDWIVES”

By Amanda Gilmore Midwives documents a small birthing clinic in the highly politicized region of western Myanmar, where Rohingya Muslims are persecuted. The owner of the Centre, a Buddhist named Hla, helps all women who enter the facility. She works along with the assistance of Nyo Nyo, a member of the Rohingya Muslim community and Hla’s apprentice. This is one of the best Documentaries of the year. Hlaing brings us to an area of the world where a civil war has been waging for ... Read more

#HOTDOCS: “NAVALNY”

By Amanda Gilmore Director Daniel Roher gives his audience access to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned with Novichok, a nerve agent implicated in attacks on other opponents of the Russian government. We follow from the moments immediately following the attack, his time spent in Germany, and his dangerous return to Russia. What makes Navalny standout is the man himself. One interview with Alexei Navalny repeatedly plays between the narrative. Roher’s questions ... Read more

#HOTDOCS: “HOW SABA KEPT SINGING”

By George Kozera As a child of a parent who was as an Auschwitz survivor, I am constantly drawn to Documentaries about said subject matter as watching narrative features on the topic (Schindler’s List, Son of Saul, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) devastate me emotionally and I can only watch those when the sun shines as that brightness signifies life and hope. Being Catholic and consigned to work in the kitchens, my mother’s experience there may not have been as laborious and dangerous ... Read more

#HOTDOCS: “THE TALENTED MR. ROSENBERG”

By George Kozera Montreal-born Writer/Producer/Director Barry Avrich may be one of Canada’s most prolific Filmmakers. His critically-acclaimed Documentaries often showcase the notorious (Harvey Weinstein, Garth Drabinsky) or well-established, show business personalities (David Foster, Oscar Peterson, Howie Mandel). His latest, THE TALENTED MR. ROSENBERG, will have its World Premiere at Hot Docs and with a sly wink and tweaking of the title of a renowned novel by Patricia Highsmith (Ripley ... Read more

#HOTDOCS: 2022 HOT DOCS CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL PREVIEW GUIDE

Boasting over 226 films this year, HOT DOCS '22 promises to be bigger and better than ever, and this year Festival-goers again will be able to enjoy the Festival in-person and also digitally! The Festival takes place between April 28 to May 8, 2022 with many amazing premieres including Jennifer Baichwal's INTO THE WEEDS (Opening Night Film) and gripping Prime Video Series THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH. And in addition to great Films and Series, are special live events like ... Read more

#HOTDOCS: MAY 2022 PROGRAMMING LINEUP

In addition to the 2022 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival kicking-off this week this Thursday, April 28, 2022, Hot Docs have several premieres and series to present May 2022! In addition to premiering at the Festival, Jennifer Baichwal's INTO THE WEEDS will play at Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema. Series INTO SLEAZE NIGHTS celebrates the 2000s with films like SCOTT PILGRIM vs. THE WORLD. THE GODFATHER also celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Series The Movie You Can’t ... Read more

#FIRSTLOOK: 2022 HOT DOCS PODCAST FESTIVAL PREVIEW

The Hot Docs Podcast Festival kicks-off January 25 - 28, 2022, celebrating excellence in audio storytelling. Exciting live podcast presentations and provocative conversations are slated for the event. This is the sixth edition of the Festival. HEADLINING EVENT LINEUPAll times listed in EST Tuesday, January 25 7:30 PM Opening Night Event: The Secrets We Keep: CBC Podcasts Storytelling Showcase We all have a secret or two. Why are some hard to keep, and others hard to share? What ... Read more

#HOTDOCS: “MOLECULES”

By George Kozera Infrequently, I’ve watched a Documentary then wonder why in the world was it even made. MOLECULES is one of those. Marketed as a son investigating his failed relationship with his father while in lockdown in Venice, it includes numerous scenes that lead nowhere and spews platitudes like “is there anything you can see in the invisible” on the soundtrack that had me scratching my head so intensely that I will never develop dandruff. Other than the remarkable scenes of ... Read more

#HOTDOCS: “ALL-IN”

By George Kozera ALL-IN follows Hakim and Ismail, both from small villages, as they work the summer months at a luxury, all-inclusive resort on the Turkish Riviera. Ismael is younger, always smiling, willing to learn new skills and highly productive. Hakim is more introspective, somewhat surly and lax with rules, regulations and management. The two develop a lovely friendship and it was interesting to watch how two distinctly people react to different scenarios, especially when it comes to ... Read more