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Hot Docs, North America’s leading documentary festival, conference and market, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating the art of documentary and to creating production opportunities for documentary filmmakers. Hot Docs will present its 33rd annual edition from April 23 to May 3, 2026.

Year-round, Hot Docs supports the Canadian and international industry with professional development programs and a multi-million-dollar film fund portfolio, and fosters education through documentaries with its popular free program Docs For Schools. 

Hot Docs operates the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood and the world’s first and largest documentary cinema.  


OPPORTUNITY TYPE: Full-time Contract

EMPLOYMENT PERIOD: March 2 to May 1 (9 weeks)

COMPENSATION: $800 per week

REPORTS TO: Manager, Marketing & Communications

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 23, 2026


JOB DESCRIPTION

The Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for assisting the Marketing & Communications team in planning and executing outreach strategies to attract audiences to the Festival. They will be expected to work closely with Communications staff to meet all crucial deadlines in the department's critical path.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Identify suitable Festival films for community partner co-presentations, execute agreements and monitor and track fulfillment.
  • Identify potential new audiences and partners for Festival films, including students, ethno-cultural communities and communities of interest, and research and contact organizations through which these audiences can be reached.
  • Manage existing access programs through larger outreach partners, including those for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
  • Coordinate Festival material distribution (screening schedules and posters) for campus, library and business outreach by working with the Volunteer team
  • Prepare and distribute marketing copy and assets for outreach initiatives used by partners, community co-presenters and others in their e-communications and social media channels.
  • Track outreach partners' access of film screenings and engagement with the Festival's social media channels
  • Assist social media coverage of live events during the Festival
  • Work with the wider Communications team to ensure priority screenings and events are well promoted and attended.
Additional Responsibilities
  • Adopt a flexible approach to workplace location and hours (including occasional evenings and weekends) contingent on the operating needs of the organization;
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with Hot Docs’ communities and stakeholders, including volunteers, unionized and contracted staff, filmmakers, media, and funders;
  • Perform other duties and assist with special projects as assigned.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

  • Excellent communication and customer service skills
  • Exceptional planning and organizational skills
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, especially Excel
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
  • Ability to work independently and with a team
  • A familiarity with the documentary and/or festival industry is an asset

APPLICATION

Submit your resume and cover letter via email to [email protected] by January 23, 2026.

Hot Docs
Attn: Kaitlin Knyf, Director of Marketing & Communications
Re: Hiring Committee – Festival Outreach Coordinator
Email: [email protected] 


EQUITY STATEMENT
Hot Docs is a forum to share stories and perspectives on the people, issues and events that shape our world, and we encourage respectful discussion and debate to foster greater understanding and empathy.

An integral component of this is Hot Docs’ commitment to fostering an organizational culture that brings together people with different races, identities, abilities, experiences and skills. Hot Docs is committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve in the stories we present and also in our workforce. We encourage applications from diverse communities and welcome applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT
Hot Docs encourages applications from qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the hiring manager to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Information received relating to the accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

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