If you’re hosting a fun movie night to kick off summer 2015, it’s likely that you won’t be choosing a documentary. However, this year’s Hot Docs Film Festival aims to make you reevaluate that decision.
The annual festival is running from April 23 to May 3 and will display a diverse selection of 229 films. Regular screenings cost $17 a piece; however, those with valid student ID can watch screenings before 5:00 pm for free.
This year, as well as in years past, Hot Docs’ multitude of films have covered a commendably diverse range of subject matter. Brett Hendrie, Hot Docs’ executive director, recommends that viewers “seek out stories from distant places that offer unique perspective on parts of the world we rarely see: meet Ethiopian tribes in Omo Child: The River and the Bush, visit Cairo in Tuk-Tuk, and find magnificence in Cambodia in Last of the Elephant Men.”
In addition to regular screenings, Hot Docs presents around 30 Special Presentations throughout the festival, such as international premieres, screenings of award-winning films, or screenings of works by renowned filmmakers. These events cost $22 a ticket. However, the extra cash is justified — filmmakers will be attending many special presentations for post-screening discussions.
As one of the most highly anticipated festivals in Toronto, Hot Docs continues to draw in thousands of viewers every year. Students who are looking for an inexpensive and unique night out to celebrate the end of exams are sure to find something interesting here.
