Hot Docs

The doc everyone will be talking about. 💬 We asked our programmers to pick the one film in the #HotDocs2026 lineup that will spark the biggest conversation. Join the discussion. Get your tickets at Hotdocs.ca. 🔗

Guaranteed to leave you glowing. We asked our programmers to pick the one film in the Hot Docs 2026 lineup that brings the most joy. From heartwarming human connections to laugh out lord stories, this is your festival mood-boost. Grab your tickets at Hotdocs.ca

MAINTENANCE ARTIST Artscapes | Canadian Premiere D: Toby Perl Freilich | USA | 95 min Tuesday, April 28 | 7:45 PM TLB 2 Wednesday, April 29 | 2:30 PM TLB 1

🇮🇹 Italy @ Hot Docs 2026! 🎥 ✨ 5 Italian projects in development 🎬 3 Italian films selected in the official Hot Docs program 🤝 To schedule a meeting with a member of the Italian delegation, led by the Italian Trade Commissioner, please contact: 📧 b.marassi@ice.it

THIS ABOVE ALL: THE THEATRICAL LIFE OF ANTONI CIMOLINO Artscapes | World Premiere D: Barry Avrich | Canada | 78 min Monday, April 27 | 7:45 PM TLB 1 Tuesday, April 28 | 11:15 AM TLB 1

HEX North American Premiere D: Maja Holand | Norway | 93 min Saturday, May 2 | 7:45 PM TLB 3 Sunday, May 3 | 7:30 PM TLB 4 Supported by the Kololian Family.

GEALTRA Artscapes | International Premiere D: Brendan Canty | Ireland | 70 min Screening with FLETCHER STREET World Premiere D: Jannat Gargi, David Darg | USA | 35 min Saturday, May 2 | 2:45 PM TLB 2 Sunday, May 3 | 5:00 PM TLB 2 Supported by the Kololian Family.

ELEPHANTS & SQUIRRELS Artscapes D: Gregor Brändli | Switzerland | 114 min Friday, May 1 | 5:00 PM TLB 1 Saturday, May 2 | 2:00 PM TLB 1 Supported by the Kololian Family.

BARBARA FOREVER Artscapes | Canadian Premiere D: Brydie O’Connor | USA | 102 min Saturday, April 25 | 9:15 PM Hot Docs Cinema Sunday, April 26 | 1:45 PM TLB 1 Community Partner: Inside Out Supported by the Kololian Family.

AANIKOOBIJIGAN [ANCESTOR/GREAT-GRANDPARENT/GREAT-GRANDCHILD] Artscapes | International Premiere D: Adam Khalil, Zachary Khalil | USA, Denmark | 81 min Friday, May 1 | 7:45 PM TLB 4 Saturday, May 2 | 10:30 AM TLB 3 Supported by the Kololian Family.

LOVE APPTUALLY Digital Witnesses | World Premiere D: Shalini Kantayya | USA, Australia | 81 min Saturday, April 25 | 6:00 PM Hot Docs Cinema Sunday, April 26 | 10:45 AM Hot Docs Cinema

VIRTUAL GIRLFRIENDS Digital Witnesses | International Premiere D: Barbora Chalupová | Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia | 90 min Saturday, May 2 | 8:30 PM TLB 1 Sunday, May 3 | 8:15 PM TLB 2

THE SANDBOX Digital Witnesses | North American Premiere D: Kenya-Jade Pinto | Canada | 90 min Saturday, April 25 | 8:00 PM TLB 1 Saturday, May 2 | 11:00 AM Hot Docs Cinema

REPLICA Digital Witnesses | North American Premiere D: Chouwa Liang | Australia, France | 92 min Friday, May 1 | 4:45 PM TLB 4 Sunday, May 3 | 2:45 PM TLB 3

GHOST IN THE MACHINE Digital Witnesses | International Premiere D: Valerie Veatch | USA | 110 min Thursday, April 30 | 9:00 PM Hot Docs Cinema Friday, May 1 | 1:30 PM TLB 1

🎬 A BIG NIGHT WITH BIG IDEAS 💡 Enjoy the premieres of four thought-provoking docs followed by in-depth conversations with special guests. ✨ Every event is an opportunity to connect with friends and filmmakers while supporting Hot Docs. 💡 Learn more at the link in our bio!

#WHILEBLACK Digital Witnesses | Canadian Premiere D: Sidney Fussell, Jennifer Holness | USA, Canada | 80 min Saturday, April 25 | 1:45 PM Hot Docs Cinema Sunday, April 26 | 5:15 PM TLB 1 Community Partner: Black Screen Office

LESSONS IN LIBERATION - SHORTS PROGRAM THE PARK (DANCING ON THE RUBBLE OF EMPIRE) D: Arwa Aburawa, Turab Shah | UK | 34 min ANOTHER DAY SHALL COME D: Aida Kaadan | Palestine, Qatar, Lebanon, France | 20 min Saturday, May 2 | 2:15 PM TLB 4

LESSONS IN LIBERATION - SHORTS PROGRAM TIME OF PLENTY D: Robin Jensen | Norway | 19 min THE CONTINUOUS MACHINE D: Ruben Gagliardini | Italy | 20 min I SEE MYSELF IN YOU D: Amreen Kullar | Canada | 9 min Saturday, May 2 | 2:15 PM TLB 4

THE WOMAN WHO POKED THE LEOPARD Persister | North American Premiere D: Patience Nitumwesiga | Uganda, South Africa, Germany, USA | 108 min Saturday, April 25 | 8:30 PM TLB 3 Sunday, April 26 | 11:15 AM TLB 2