Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival

As I see it, Hot Docs is one of the best assets of Toronto programming and I consider it one of my biggest privileges to be able to attend the festival each year.
I have been enjoying wonderful documentaries thanks to Hot Docs for 4 or 5 years now and it is, without a doubt, one of my most — if not THE most — anticipated annual events. There is a wonderful selection of documentaries from all countries covering all kinds of intriguing and thought provoking topics that I am convinced that every single person can find a doc that touches or moves them in some way.
The festival recruits an abundance of wonderful volunteers so you are never left confused or lost in the many venues. Each venue is clearly marked and staffed that the whole process of obtaining a ticket, lining up, finding seating, and voting for films is seamless and effortless. Also, as a long time student, I am grateful for its free daytime screenings for students and seniors (…I will probably prolong my Master’s just so I can keep reaping the fruits!).
I love hot docs!

There’re so many things that is amazing about hot docs. For one thing it’s full of amazing movies that cover a wide range of subject matter from sports to horrible human crimes to documenting some of the worst living conditions in the world. It’s natural to make comparisons between this and the Toronto International Film Festival and while I am big fan of both I would say that with hot docs the percentage of you leaving a theatre after having gone through a heavy hitting movie is higher.
In addition, hot docs is far more accessible especially if you are a student or a senior since they offer free daytimes screenings before 6 PM for all their movies and this even includes movies that have gone rush. While regular screenings are more expensive than you would normally pay for a commercial movie it is highly worth it to pay $ 14 or $ 15 that tickets cost, you get a great movie and the chance to hear from the producers or directors of the film in a q&a session immediately following the credits. Which is not always the case in all the screenings at tiff.
This festival is going very quickly and gathering a lot of new followers each year and while they are still small and not full of money they put on an amazing show, and now with the reinvention of the Bloor cinema this festival is just going to keep getting larger in its new home.
Just like at tiff the volunteers and staff are fantastic and very helpful, I’ve seen some of the best films in the last few years at HotDocs and judging from this year’s festival I can see that trend continuing.

This is my 5^th year going to the festival. I’ve seen some very interesting documentaries. But beyond the films themselves, the administration of the festival has been excellent.
Single tickets can be expensive. But if you’re looking to see a few movies with some friends, the 10 ticket pass is extremely flexible. It’s basically just a massive discount for a prepaid block of 10 tickets.
($ 15 per ticket discounted to $ 11 per ticket)
UPDATE: the amazing Whole Foods discount is dead because of the new location.
After you get your pass, you then use it to purchase individual tickets. Best way to do that is to call and reserve, then pick them up at the box office.
The website is an excellent resource. Unlike TIFF, where you can’t rely on the website for ticket information, hot docs seems to update the status of the tickets pretty quickly.
CON: The major con is that the quality of the docs can vary. Some docs are amazing and will blow your mind. (You’ll be talking about them for weeks with your friends). But others are short and not quite what you would expect. I think that’s just the part of the experience. If you go to 4 docs, expect 1 of them to be a dud and you’ll be very pleased.

Best Film Festival EV-​AR. Best part? If you’re a student or senior, you get into daytime shows for free. Yup, that’s right. But even if you don’t fall into one of those two groups, it’s definitely worth the $$ to get a pass and hit up as many documentaries as possible.
The selection of documentaries that they get is insane. I found TIFF rather underwhelming — expensive, too many people out, and you were likely locked out of the movies you really wanted to see. Hot Docs is more low-​key, but the quality of films are far superior (if you like documentaries). Docs are my favorite film genre, so I had a blast. You get US/​Canadian films, foreign films, docs about sports, school, war, cults, adventure sports — anything you can think.
In many cases, the filmmakers showed up and partook in a Q&A session. Really interesting people here. Just A-​1 all around — I can’t say enough good things about this festival.

Hot Docs’ success may be a case of being in the right place at the right time, when appetite for documentary has grown so rapidly. (Hmm…do we need to thank Michael Moore for that?) But, this little festival that could has expanded because it’s done the hard work well. It’s got exceptional programming, offering up about 200 films during the festival. Giving you even more bang for your buck, Hot Docs also often brings in the inspiring filmmakers for open discussions following the film. How often does that happen when you spend $ 13 at the theatre?

Finally a film festival for Toronto residents! The TIFF keeps you waiting in line long enough to make your own movie, and then you can’t even get into movies you picked. Hot Docs does just the opposite. You can buy a package online. Call the office to have them reserve your tickets, walk right on in and ask them what movies they recommend without thousands of impatient movie-​goers sighing heavily behind you. The movies are outstanding selections of local and international documentaries. If you see 5 or 6 movies maybe one will be just OK. All the others make you laugh, cry, see a problem with new perspective and/​or buy fair trade from now on!
Held each year in the fall– it might rain, it might snow, but waiting to get into the theatre isn’t that bad if you get to ask Morgan Spurlock why he ate a quarter pounder with cheese for 30 days straight.