Skip to main content
Back of man in chair surrounded by smoke
Influence (D: Diana Neille, Richard Poplak)

This $2.6-million CAD financing initiative connects a select group of committed investors with Canadian and international feature-length documentary productions seeking financing.

A lead investor in Hot Docs Partners, Toronto-based Blue Ice Docs is committed to match investments, on a case-by-case basis, made by other partners.

In this initiative, Hot Docs employs expertise developed while operating our highly effective market programs, including Hot Docs Forum and Deal Maker, our $9-million CAD production fund portfolio, and the relationships we have cultivated with doc filmmakers around the world, to assess and match films in development or production with appropriate investors.

This is a further step in our ongoing efforts to open new sources of financial support for documentary filmmakers by bringing them together with private investors. The 2017 Festival saw the launch of the first look program, which brought a select group of investors to the Hot Docs Forum pitch market to observe project presentations, meet filmmakers and discover potential investment projects.

Back to Film Funds

Hot Docs Partners Projects

FIREBALL: VISITORS FROM DARKER WORLDS
D: Werner Herzog, Clive Oppenheimer | USA, UK
About meteors and comets and their influence on ancient religions and other cultural and physical impacts they’ve had on Earth.

INFLUENCE
D: Diana Neille, Richard Poplak | South Africa, Canada
Website

THE LOST LEONARDO
D: Andreas Koefoed | Denmark, France
The inside story behind the Salvator Mundi, the most expensive painting ever sold at $450 million, presumed to be a long-lost masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci.

LOUDMOUTH
D: Josh Alexander | P: Daniel J. Chalfen, Mike Jackson, Kedar Massenburg, Josh Alexander | USA
Documenting the life story of iconic activist and spiritual leader Al Sharpton, from eight-year-old preacher to civil rights activist. 

MIDWIVES 
D: Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing | P: Bob Moore, Ulla Lehman, Mila Aung-Thwin, Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing | Myanmar, Germany, Canada
Filmed over five years, Midwives follows a small birthing clinic in the highly politicized region of western Myanmar. 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN VENEZUELA
D: Anabel Rodríguez Ríos | P: Sepp R. Brudermann | Venezuela, UK, Brazil, Austria
As the village of Congo Mirador prepares for an election, two contenders clash over political differences while a young girl becomes a poetic and powerful voice of reason.
Website

SOFTIE
D: Sam Soko | Kenya
One of Kenya's most outspoken photojournalists, Boniface “Softie” Mwangi's ideals are tested when he must choose between country and those closest to him while running for office. 
Website

WE ARE HERE
D: Ariel Nasr | P: Sergeo Kirby | Canada
Hot Docs Partners joined SODEC and Canadian Media Fund in supporting Loaded Pictures's We Are Here, a CBC and Canal D documentary.

WERNER HERZOG: RADICAL DREAMER
D: Thomas von Steinaecher | P: Andre Singer, Bernhard von Hulsen, Maria Willer | Germany, UK
A comprehensive portrait of one of cinema’s most enigmatic characters. With exclusive access and in-depth interviews offering an exciting glimpse into the work and personal life of the iconic artist.

Get the latest from Hot Docs

Sign up for e-news and keep up to date with the latest from Hot Docs and Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.
  • Advance notices about upcoming films
  • The latest on festival dates and tickets
  • Customize your preferences
  • Unsubscribe at any time
Sign up