More than 200 documentaries will screen at this year’s Hot Docs event – organizers revealed the varied line-up today where 45 countries are represented.
This year the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, now in its 22nd edition, will present 210 titles from 45 countries in 12 screening programs.
“This year’s Festival takes us around the world, showcasing stories from 45 different countries and the best in Canadian filmmaking,” said Hot Docs’ director of programming Charlotte Cook in a press release. “Through even more live and interactive experiences we have more ways than ever for the audience to be a part of the Festival. Bringing this exceptional work to Toronto is a huge honour and we can’t wait to join the filmmakers in sharing their work with our incredible audience.”
This year’s Scotiabank Big Ideas Series will welcome such notable subjects as: Grammy-nominated comedian Tig Notaro (“Tig”); charismatic former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Danny Williams, subject of (“Danny”); director Alex Winter, “Wired” senior writer Andy Greenberg and the parents of subject Ross Ulbricht (“Deep Web”); Ex-Fugee Pras Michel (“Sweet Micky For President”); and Olympic Gold Medal–winning hockey player Charline Labonté, former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean and American college football player Conner Mertens (“Out To Win”).
Hot Docs is pleased to announce DocX, a new program that celebrates innovative documentary storytelling through new technologies and original experiences – it will feature a one-night-only participatory live performance of Katerina Cizek’s “Highrise: Universe Within, Live.” Festival audiences will also have the opportunity to experience the DocX Virtual Reality Showcase, a free exhibit at the Isabel Bader Theatre, available to view from Friday, April 24th to Friday, May 1st.
In addition to the opening night international premiere of Kristina Goolsby and Ashley York’s “Tig,” a testament to comedian Tig Notaro’s defiant spirit and incredible humour in the face of adversity, other notable films in the Special Presentations program include: Andreas Koefoed’s “The Arms Drop,” which follows a British arms dealer’s hunt for the MI5 agent who betrayed him; Violeta Ayala’s “The Bolivian Case,” a sensational exposé about three teenage girls caught smuggling cocaine; Jessica Edwards’ “Mavis!,” a powerful film rich with songs and stories from music legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples; and Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross’ “Western,” a subtle portrait of the ever-growing divide between two towns straddling the US-Mexico border.
The Hot Docs fest runs from April 23rd to May 3rd.
Photo: Hot Docs
