TORONTO — Films amplifying marginalized voices will take centre stage in a scaled-back lineup at next month's Hot Docs Festival, following a tumultuous year that cast doubt on its future.
Programming director Heather Haynes says the festival will feature 113 documentaries, nearly half the number of films shown two years ago, as it navigates ongoing financial challenges.
The festival announced today it will open with the world premiere of “Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance,” which is Winnipeg filmmaker Noam Gonick’s look at the history of Canada’s LGBTQ+ movement.
Haynes says this year’s festival is especially "queer-focused" in light of growing threats to LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. and the potential challenges in Canada as the election approaches.
Another film announced today is “Heightened Scrutiny,” which follows civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio’s legal battles against American anti-trans laws.
The Hot Docs festival will run from April 24 to May 4 in Toronto.
Last week, Hot Docs announced Toronto International Film Festival veteran Diana Sanchez as its new executive director, promising she’d lead the organization into “a period of rebuilding and reimagining.”
She takes over March 31 from interim director Janice Dawe, who has been leading the struggling non-profit since its former president Marie Nelson stepped down in July after one year in the role.
Haynes says Hot Docs received the same amount of submissions this year as it did the previous two years, which shows “the confidence that filmmakers and distributors worldwide have in this festival.”
However, she notes the number of documentaries they're featuring is down from 165 last year, and 213 in 2023.
“My hope is that we will begin to rebuild slowly and in a way that's also keeping in mind the industry overall. You know, perhaps not having 280 films, but growing within measure.”
She says 30 per cent of this year’s lineup is Canadian, including the world premieres of “Casas Muertas,” which follows three generations of Venezuelans as they confront the harsh realities of an ongoing economic crisis, and “Shamed,” which follows an online vigilante who confronts alleged sexual predators in public, only to find himself facing a legal battle over the ethics of his methods.
Haynes stresses the value of Hot Docs remaining active, especially amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
“I think as one the more important documentary festivals in North America, we are supporting Canadian work, which is incredibly important, especially now, to understand our own histories and culture,” she said.
“I just think right now in the political climate that we're in, we need documentaries more than ever to speak to the complexities that we’re in.”
She added that with the appointment of Sanchez, there is a lot of “inspiration and positivity” within the organization as it looks towards its future.
Hot Docs’ financial woes came into public focus last spring when Nelson criticized the Liberal government for leaving the organization out of the federal budget after they asked for emergency support.
Over the summer, the non-profit restructured its board of directors, temporarily closed its flagship Toronto theatre and laid off staff, citing “urgent” financial difficulties. It reopened on a limited basis in the fall, announcing “significant progress” in tackling its deficit and governance challenges.
The Big Ideas series is set to return this year, featuring discussions with guests including filmmaker James Jones and journalist Christo Grozev of doc-thriller “Antidote,” which follows whistleblowers standing up to Russia’s government, and director Shoshannah Stern and actor Marlee Matlin from “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” about the life and career of the trailblazing Deaf Oscar-winner.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2025.
Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press
