Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Festival Set to Premiere Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance
The Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Festival will kick off on April 24 with the highly anticipated world premiere of Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance, a compelling work by Canadian director Noam Gonick in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada. This feature documentary delves into the evolution and key milestones in Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ movement, showcasing a blend of archival pride and protest footage along with poignant first-person narratives.
At a recent press conference, producer Justine Pimlott expressed her sentiments about the film’s significance: “This is such a wonderful and meaningful acknowledgment. There is still much work to be done. My hope is that our film serves as an inspiration and a call to action, not only for the queer community, but also for our allies.” Her comments highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the community, reinforcing the idea that awareness and activism remain crucial.
The festival, recognized as North America’s premier documentary showcase, announced its complete film lineup for its 32nd edition, scheduled to run from April 24 to May 4 in Toronto. This year promises a rich tapestry of films, including the Special Presentations program, which features numerous Canadian premieres. Noteworthy titles include:
- The Nest by co-directors Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh
- Come See Me in the Good Light, Ryan White’s documentary spotlighting spoken word artist Andrea Gibson
- Deaf President Now!, a film exploring the 1988 protest that reshaped accessibility rights
- Life After, directed by Reid Davenport, investigating assisted suicide laws for individuals with disabilities
In the International Spectrum Competition section, audiences can look forward to world premieres such as:
- I, Poppy by Vivek Chaudhury, chronicling a son’s battle against corruption in India
- King Matt the First, following two Polish sisters through their journeys into adulthood
- Unwelcomed, from directors Sebastian Gonzalez Mendez and Amilcar Infante, addressing the migrant crisis in Chile in 2021
Other notable films scheduled for the festival include Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, focusing on the Oscar-winning deaf actress, and the Sundance-originated Coexistence, My Ass!, featuring activist Noam Shuster Eliassi addressing the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Additional works like The Dating Game and Heightened Scrutiny offer insights into dating culture in China and legal battles for trans rights in the U.S., respectively.
This year marks a transitional period for Hot Docs, especially following the appointment of Diana Sanchez as the new executive director, succeeding interim leader Janice Dawe. Sanchez emphasized the importance of Hot Docs to the Toronto and documentary communities, stating her commitment to lead an incredibly talented team through a vibrant festival season.
Despite facing financial restructuring—resulting in the temporary closure of its flagship Toronto cinema—Hot Docs remains steadfast in its mission. Director of Programming Heather Haynes called attention to the alarming risks faced by filmmakers and journalists globally. On this note, the recent incident involving Hamdan Ballal, a filmmaker who was injured and briefly detained in the West Bank, represents the often dangerous circumstances under which vital stories are told.Social media updates reported his release from prison earlier today.
Additionally, the documentary No Other Land, directed by a collaborative team of Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, recently won the Best Documentary award at the 97th Academy Awards. This film tells the urgent story of Palestinian displacement in Masafer Yatta and illustrates the friendship that blossoms between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist over several years.
In total, the upcoming Hot Docs 2025 edition boasts 113 documentaries from 47 different countries, including 26 feature-length Canadian productions alongside various industry events and programs. This extraordinary lineup underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse voices and perspectives in global documentary filmmaking.