Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival returns this year with 113 documentaries representing 47 countries across 11 diverse programs and will feature 35 world, 14 international, and 26 North American premieres.
As it has become my custom, I have sharing some of my personal picks for you to add to your Hot Docs lists.
On April 16, Canadians will unite in a massive, celebratory, elbows up explosion of Canadian film, as part of the world’s biggest film festival and Canada’s largest cultural celebration.
Following its critically acclaimed runs on major world stages, Canadian Stage concludes its 24-25 season with the Toronto premiere presentation of Why Not Theatre’s two-part epic, MAHABHARATA, a once-in-a-generation theatrical experience of unparalleled ambition and scale from some of the country’s most innovative and inspiring artistic voices.
Mexican filmmaker Isaac Ezban returns with PÁRVULOS, a blend of dystopian horror and emotional introspection. Set in a forested post-apocalyptic world, the film follows three young brothers – Salvador (Felix Farid Escalante), Oliver (Leonardo Cervantes) and Benjamin (Mateo Ortega) – living alone in a remote cabin, guarding a dark secret in their basement.
Currently in Toronto, we have The Little Prince: A Physical Theatre Adaptation, a groundbreaking new production at Theatre Passe Muraille (TPM). It is one a truly lovely experience for theatre and The Little Prince fans alike.
Canadian Film Fest (CFF), the indie-spirited festival dedicated to celebrating Canadian filmmakers, today announced its lineup for the 2025 edition of the festival. Celebrating its 19th year, CFF continues to champion and support our country’s creatives and homegrown talent, bringing Canadian stories to Canadian audiences.
Simon TaufiQue is a British Indian, Emmy-nominated and multiple award-winning composer and producer, known for the HBO/Max award-winner, Land of Gold, the Emmy-nominated documentary, The Interpreters, The Weight of Gold (HBO), and Berlinale-winner, She’s Lost Control, and recent Sundance award-winning selection, Ricky.
T. (Todd) Griffin, is a Sundance festival mainstay with 16 consecutive years at Sundance, returns with two projects: MIDDLETOWN, a documentary with a nostalgic score reflecting the early 1990s, and FOLKTALES, a haunting, atmospheric soundtrack for a Norwegian coming-of-age film.
Over the past three decades, KUUMBA has become one the most highly anticipated events to celebrate the creativity and artistic expression of Toronto’s Black diaspora through the multidisciplinary fields of music, theatre, dance, spoken word and more.
Alex visits his newly single mother for a weekend at her beach house. But when he is confronted with her new independence, Alex is forced to face his own controlling nature.
