Art, politics and culture take centre stage at Hot Docs Festival

Documentary films don’t just inform and educate—they move us, whether it’s through spectacular visuals, a gorgeous score or incredible storytelling. With over 133 titles from 47 countries, Hot Docs Festival offers a variety of smart, entertaining, engaging films from all over the world. The wide-ranging content in these documentaries spans the arts, the environment, the personal and the political while addressing the critical intersections of these topics. These films are deeply moving, often shocking and sometimes hilarious, allowing us to see the world through a new lens and helping us better understand those around us.

If you haven’t checked out this year’s Hot Docs Festival lineup, don’t wait any longer. It runs from April 24 to May 4, 2025 with screenings at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema on Bloor Street and the TIFF Lightbox on King West.

Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance

This year’s opening night film revisits pivotal moments in Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ history. A look back at early struggles in the movement as well as landmark victories, this documentary examines how far we’ve come, the arc and fragility of progress, and how quickly rights can be taken away. It’s a powerful reminder that the fight for justice and equality is ongoing, and it depends on all of us. Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance is screening tonight (April 24) at 9:30pm. If you miss tonight’s show, it’s playing again on April 26 and May 3.

Big Ideas and more

With over 100 films to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your list. Many of this year’s documentaries include themes of personal and cultural identity, political resistance, climate change, technology, music and art. There are films about familiar figures like Marlee Matlin, Ai Weiwei and Selena Quintanilla, plus documentaries about the exceptional lives of people you’ve never heard of: a young Ukrainian gymnast and refugee, an elderly Iranian woman who survives on fish from a dried-up lake bed, a woman with dementia who is cared for by her son, and a group of First Nations basketball teams competing on the Pacific west coast.

There are also films that explore the sea, our bodies and our faith, plus an intimate look at a local park through the seasons. These are tender, remarkable portraits of nature and humanity that you won’t soon forget. It’s rare to have access to these many amazing documentaries in local theatres—even in a cultural hub like Toronto—so go ahead and see as many films as you can while the festival is on.

A universe of cinema in your city

Watching a documentary from the comfort of your couch is great, but you can do better. Now in its 32nd year, the annual Hot Docs Festival is an opportunity to enjoy groundbreaking movies the way they were intended to be seen: in full sound, scale and colour. Grab a few friends, make it a date or treat yourself to a solo night out at the theatre. Single tickets are available for each screening, but you can save money by buying a 12 or 20 ticket package or a 6-ticket bundle. Special offers are available for students and seniors, and rush tickets will be offered for some films. Passes can be purchased online or in person—contact the box office for details. Hot Docs Festival is on now and runs until Sunday, May 4th—it only happens once a year, so don’t miss out.