Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (Hot Docs) returns to Toronto this week, from April 25 to May 5, 2024. 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.
Fellow arts & culture writer Sammy Younan, of the My Summer Lair podcast, and I recently sat down to discuss our initial Hot Docs picks, as well as, some tips on attending the festival.
Film Titles Discussed
- Disco Revenge
Dir. by Omar Majeed & Peter Mishara - Eno
Dir. by Gary Hirschwit - Never Too Much
Dir. by Dawn Porter - Me, Michael and I
Dir. by Nicolas-Alexandre Tremblay & Régis Coussot - Michel Gondry, Do It Yourself
Dir. by François Nemeta - TR(ol)L: New Kids on the Block, Total Request Live and the Chain Letter that Changed the Internet
Dir. by Yourgo Artsitas - The Click Trap
Dir. by Peter Porta - Songs for After a War
Dir. by Basilio Martín Patino - A Photographic Memory
Dir. by Rachel Elizabeth Seed - The Day Iceland Stood Still
Dir. by Pamela Hogan - Curl Power*
Dir. by Josephine Anderson - Lost in the Shuffle
Dir. by Jon Ornoy - Pelikan Blue
Dir. by László Csáki - Made in England, The Films of Powell and Pressburger
Dir. by David Hinton - Rouge*
Dir. by Hamoody Jaafar - American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly
Dir. by Todd Bieber - Secret Mall Apartment
Dir. by Jeremy Workman - Beethoven’s Nine: Ode to Humanity*
Dir. by Larry Weinstein
Special Events
Stories We Tell
Dir. by Sarah Polley
Part of the Focus On Achievement Award honouring Canadian cinematographer Iris Ng, 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.
*I have seen these films and will have more to share with you soon.
For documentary film listings, special events, schedule and ticketing information, please visit HotDocs.ca.
