Event Details

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival was founded in 1994 to advance and celebrate the art of documentary filmmaking. Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market. Each year, the Festival presents a selection of more than 180 cutting-edge documentaries from Canada and around the globe. Through its industry programs, Hot Docs also provides a full range of professional development, market and networking opportunities for documentary professionals.

This application is for the “Hot Docs Canadian 33rd International Documentary Festival”, taking place from April 23 to May 3, 2026. The festival will be accompanied by extensive industry, education, and international engagement programming. The festival is North America’s premier destination for experiencing the world’s best new documentary films, attracting both regional audiences and international filmmakers who premiere their work and participate in post-screening Q&As. Now in its 33rd year, Hot Docs remains committed to inspiring audiences, advancing documentary filmmaking, and fostering meaningful connections across the global industry. Programming includes:

(1) Hot Docs Festival: over 200 screenings of 100+ films across five screens at both the Ted Rogers Theatre and TIFF light box. The regular programming will also include 150 Q&As and thirty industry events;

(2) Hot Docs Forum (April 27-29): The festival will relaunch the Hot Docs Forum, a pitch event where a small group of selected filmmakers present their films in progress to a panel of leading

industry decision makers;

(3) Official Delegation Program: Hot Docs will expand its Official Delegation Program, hosting visiting filmmakers led by film festivals, institutes, trade organizations, and consulates; and

(4) “Made in Brazil” Program: Hot Docs will feature a dedicated program highlighting five Brazilian films and up to three projects in the Deal Maker pitch program.