Hot Docs Fest to Open With ‘Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance’

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The Canadian Documentary Festival held by Hot Docs, which focuses on documentaries, will kick off on April 24 with a world debut screening of “Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance“, directed by Noam Gonick from Canada and produced by the National Film Board.

The documentary showcases the progression and significant events in Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ movement, featuring footage of parades and protests, as well as firsthand testimonies. “What a beautiful and impactful representation!” said Justine Pimlott, producer of Parade, during a Hot Docs press conference on Tuesday. “There is still much left to accomplish,” she continued. “I hope our film will ignite inspiration and encourage action not only within the LGBTQ+ community, but also among our supporters.

The announcement about the opening act for the festival was made when Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary event, disclosed its complete movie schedule for its 32nd installment taking place from April 24 to May 4 in Toronto.

The Special Presentations lineup predominantly features Canadian debuts, including titles such as “The Nest,” directed by co-directors Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh; “Come See Me in the Good Light,” a Sundance film by Ryan White about Andrea Gibson, spoken word artist and poet laureate of Colorado, produced by Tig Notaro; “Deaf President Now!”, a Sundance documentary by Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim about the 1988 student protest that revolutionized accessibility rights in the U.S.; and “Life After,” where Reid Davenport examines assisted suicide laws for disabled individuals.

In other locations, the International Spectrum Competition showcases first-time screenings of “I, Poppy” by Vivek Chaudhury, a story about a son battling corrupt officials in India; “King Matt the First,” directed by Janusz Korczak, which portrays young Polish sisters dealing with the challenges of approaching maturity; and “Unwelcomed,” a film by directors Sebastian Gonzalez Mendez and Amilcar Infante that explores Chile’s migrant crisis in 2021.

Additionally, Hot Docs has scheduled screenings for Shoshannah Stern’s movie titled “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore“, a film focusing on the renowned deaf actress and Oscar winner Marlee Matlin; “Coexistence, My Ass!“, a film by activist and comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi, which explores the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from Sundance; Violet Du Feng’s movie “The Dating Game“, which portrays single men in China attending a dating boot camp; Sam Feder’s film “Heightened Scrutiny“, chronicling legal battles against attacks on trans rights in the U.S.; Isabel Catro’s production “Selena Y Los Dinos“, a tribute to Selena Quintanilla, known as the “Queen of Tejano Music”; and Kristina Kraskov’s film “Spreadsheet Champions“, featuring students who excel at Excel competing in the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship.

This year’s Hot Docs festival will focus on the presidency of Marie Nelson, who assumed her role as head of the organization in June 2023 and is now stepping down following a tumultuous 2024 edition. During a press conference held in Toronto on Tuesday morning, interim executive director Janice Dawe, who guided Hot Docs through corporate and financial difficulties this past year, commented, “There were certainly doubts as to whether we would still be here today.

Diana Sanchez, a seasoned film programmer, has taken over as the new executive director of Hot Docs in preparation for its 2025 event. Speaking to the Hot Docs Cinema audience, she expressed her enthusiasm and dedication, saying, “Toronto and the documentary community need Hot Docs, and I am eager and thrilled to collaborate with this exceptionally gifted team who have welcomed me so graciously.

Due to some financial reorganization, Hot Docs temporarily closed its main cinema in Toronto and reduced both its board of directors and operational team. Before announcing the 2025 schedule, Heather Haynes, the programming director at Hot Docs, highlighted Hamdan Ballal, one of the co-directors of the Academy Award-winning documentary No Other Land, who was brutally attacked by Israeli settlers, sustained injuries, and was arrested during a West Bank conflict on Monday.

As a gamer, I’m deeply concerned about the escalating threats against brave storytellers like journalists, filmmakers, and everyday folks who put their lives on the line to bring us crucial truths. I join many others in wishing for Hamdan’s swift and safe reunion with his family. Earlier today, Abraham announced on social media that Ballal has been released from a military prison and is finally making his way back home to his loved ones.

At the 97th Annual Academy Awards held on March 2nd, the documentary “No Other Land,” co-directed by four filmmakers (two Israelis, two Palestinians), was awarded the best documentary prize. This movie chronicles the compulsory relocation of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta during the years 2019 to 2023, while also depicting the blossoming camaraderie between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist throughout this period.

113 documentaries hailing from 47 different countries are scheduled to be shown at the 2025 edition of Hot Docs, alongside 26 Canadian-made feature documentaries. This lineup will also include various industry events and programs.

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2025-03-25 18:24