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Whether serving as appetizers for similarly themed features or palate cleansers between more emotionally taxing fare, short films deliver a broad range of subjects served up in easily digestible morsel form. Here are a bunch I checked out! Eat Flowers (5/8)Visually stunning but a bit narratively wonky, this meditation...
Director Sherien Barsoum trains her lens on the justice system in Cynara, which recounts the trial and conviction of Cindy Ali (pictured above), who was accused of killing her disabled daughter. We posed our Qs à la mode to Sherien, and here’s what she shared! If I had to...
In Rowdy Girl, director Jason Goldman profiles beef-rancher-turned-vegan Renee King-Sonnen, whose animal-welfare advocacy is helping farmers across the U.S. pivot from animal-based to plant-based agriculture. We posed our Qs à la mode to Jason, and here’s what he shared! If I had to describe my film using only three...
In Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun, director Banchi Hanuse profiles Logan Red Crow, a young Siksika Nation woman competing in the male-dominated sport of Indian Relay. We posed our Qs à la mode to Banchi, and here’s what she shared! If I had to describe my film using only...
Looking for more to-see recommendations? No problem — here are eight more terrific documentaries to check out at the fest! Food and Country (7/8)One of the key lessons the world has learned over the course of the pandemic is just how fragile our food system is, and director...
Director Matthew Hashiguchi profiles Dr. Karen Kinsell, a dedicated physician providing health care to the underserved residents of one of Georgia’s poorest rural communities, in The Only Doctor. We posed our Qs à la mode to Matthew, and here’s what he shared! If I had to describe my film...
In Satan Wants You, co-directors Sean Horlor and Steve J. Adams examine the “satanic panic” hysteria caused by the memoir Michelle Remembers and its co-authors. We posed our Qs à la mode to Sean and Steve, and here’s what they shared! If we had to describe our film using...
Initially, and perhaps naively, I thought I’d have the full list of must-sees ready to go today. But it gradually dawned on me: that’s not actually realistic. With more than 200 films screening at Hot Docs this year, there’s a LOT to watch. Sometimes, amazing films reveal themselves early...
Director Cam Christiansen’s Echo of Everything travels the globe to explore the profound power of music. We posed our Qs à la mode to Cam ahead of its world premiere at the festival, and here’s what he shared! If I had to describe my film using only three adjectives,...
Director Kordo Doski strikes narrative gold with Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story, which follows the titular football club as it attempts to rise to Sweden’s top Division. We posed our Qs à la mode to Kordo, and here’s what he shared! If I had to describe my film using only...
Director Rama Rau’s Coven examines the modern-day feminist significance of witchcraft by criss-crossing the globe with a trio of young witches as they explore the history of Wiccan practices. We posed our Qs à la mode to Rama, and here’s what she shared! If I had to describe my...
This year, many of those lighter-fare, more cheerful docs seems to reside in the shorts programs. So, here are six fun-sounding short films (well, five shorts and one mid-length doc) we’re super-excited to see… and which we’re hoping will serve as our refreshing emotional palate cleansers during the fest:...
