Hot Docs Industry

🏆 And the Oscar goes to...MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN Huge congratulations to the team behind MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN for winning the Academy Award for Documentary Feature Film! 🎞️✨ We are beyond proud to have featured this incredible film as a 2025 Hot Docs official selection. A massive shoutout to directors David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin on this historic win! 👏

Hot Docs is pleased to announce the appointment of seven new members to the Board of Directors, marking a growth in leadership ahead of this year’s Festival. Learn more at: hotdocs.ca/news/hd26-board

Here is your first look at 13 Must-See titles that will screen during the 2026 Hot Docs Festival, April 23 to May 3. ow.ly/yOH250YrX5G Hot Docs members and ticket package holders get early access to book their films starting March 24. Single tickets available March 31.

🎬 THE PRISON IN TWELVE LANDSCAPES 🎞️ A sharp deconstruction of the prison-industrial complex and its invisible links to American life. Join director Brett Story, editor Avril Jacobson, and cinematographer Maya Bankovic for a special post-screening Q&A! 📅: Sunday, March 22, 6:30 PM

⏳ Early Price for 2026 Festival Ticket Packages Ends March 2! Our 20- and 12-ticket packages are the best way for doc-lovers to experience Hot Docs Festival. Don't miss this opportunity. Visit ow.ly/ElNA50Ym6rx to learn more!

Congrats to the Academy Award nominees for Best Documentary Feature! 🏆 We're proud to see 2025 official selections CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS, COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT, and MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN nominated! See CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS at Hot Docs on March 1! 🎟️

📢 The reminder for the Final Deadline for the 33rd annual Hot Docs Festival, April 23–May 3, 2026, is fast approaching on January 8, 2026! Find out more about the eligibility and process for the 2025 Hot Docs Festival’s film submissions on the Industry page of the Hot Docs website

Hot Docs Alumni at Sundance & on Oscars Shortlist ow.ly/FMVo50XMOAO

5 Reasons to Help Keep Hot Docs Strong ➡️ Swipe to see Make a donation today and join our growing community of Friends who are passionate about the power and impact of Hot Docs - hotdocs.ca/donate

DEADLINE REMINDER: Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund applications close soon! The Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund will financially support 3-5 documentary projects each year with amounts ranging from $15,000 to $60,000 CAD. Deadline: December 11, 2025

Today on #GivingTuesday, please donate to keep Hot Docs strong! ❤️ Hot Docs brings Canadians together through films that open minds and bridge divides. Support the Friends of Hot Docs campaign and help protect this vital cultural institution. 🍁 ow.ly/cpub50XANI4

📢 The Regular Deadline for the 33rd annual Hot Docs Festival, April 23–May 3, 2026, is approaching on December 4! Find out more about the eligibility and process for the 2025 Hot Docs Festival’s film submissions on the Industry page of the Hot Docs website.

Hot Docs Industry Registration Now Open—secure your spot now & save! Join us for the 33rd annual Hot Docs Festival, taking place in Toronto from April 23 to May 3, 2026. Learn more at ow.ly/TaKx50XyewN

Hot Docs is excited to share the team of programmers that will shape the 33rd edition of the Hot Docs Festival, taking place April 23 to May 3, 2026, in Toronto. We're also delighted to welcome our new lead programmer for year-round programming at Hot Docs Cinema. Check out the full story: ow.ly/RYtS50Xufin

Hot Docs Festival Packages are on sale now. Our 12- and 20-Packs are the best way to experience the world's best documentary cinema at Hot Docs Festival, April 23 to May 3, 2026. 🔗 Learn more and buy now: ow.ly/Ng4w50XtGsU

Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund applications are NOW OPEN! This documentary fund is dedicated to filmmakers telling engaging, high-quality stories that embrace music artists in all its forms and that demonstrate Canadian music’s role in the world. The Fund also welcomes international music stories told through the lens of Canadian filmmakers. The Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund will financially support 3-5 documentary projects each year with amounts ranging from $15,000 to $60,000 CAD. Deadline: December 11, 2025

Applications are now open for the Hot Docs Forum & Deal Maker programs at Hot Docs' 2026 Industry Conference and Market! Pitch to the industry's top decision makers from around the globe! Taking place during the Hot Docs Festival, April 23–May 3, 2026, the Industry Conference and Market is designed to be an intimate yet impactful gathering that supports diverse filmmakers of all career stages and uplifts emerging voices. Submission Deadline: December 14, 2025

📣Film submissions for the 33rd annual Hot Docs Festival, April 23–May 3, 2026, is officially open! From short films to mid-lengths and features to episodic series, we can’t wait to receive Canadian and international documentaries of all lengths and subject matter. Submission Deadlines • Early-bird: October 23, 2025 • Regular: December 4, 2025 • Final: January 8, 2026 Find out more about the eligibility and process for the 2025 Hot Docs Festival’s film submissions on the Industry page of the Hot Docs website

Another successful trip to the Durban International Film Festival (@diffest) and @DurbanFilmMart! 🎉🎬 Congratulations to the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs Award winner Climbing the Mountains (D: Sabrina Chebbi | P: Kenji Accard, Sabrina Chebbi | Co-Producer: Oualid Baha | Algeria)! 🙌 A big kudos to Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs Fund fellows and alum: • Vuka (D: Matthew Robinson | P: Rehad Desai | South Africa) – the Whickers Bursary Award and the Impronta Films Consultancy Award • Akal (D: Basma Rkioui | P: Karim Debbagh | Morocco) – the Visions du Reel Award and the DOK Leipzig Award • Samaa Gafa (Dry Sky) (D: Ibrahim Omar | P: Aya Tallah Yusuf | Sudan) – the El Gouna Film Festival Award Interested in learning more about the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs Fund? 🔍 More info at ow.ly/OMat50WuWYS

Are you motion picture industry professionals in unscripted or animation production? Our friend @CreativeBCs is conducting a survey to gather insights on the industry's understanding of principal photography for live action and key animation for animated productions! Deadline: August 15, 2025 Complete the survey now: ow.ly/6m0450Wtu8e