Hot Docs Canadian Storytellers Project

This five-year initiative invested in core funding and professional development programs for Canadian filmmakers, generously supported by Netflix.

In recognition of the systemic barriers that continue to exist within the documentary film industry, the Hot Docs Canadian Storytellers Project created opportunities that support a diversity of perspectives, foster new voices, and make the industry stronger and more sustainable.

By enhancing existing year-round programs, the Project provided opportunities for documentary storytellers who are Indigenous, Francophone, Deaf and/or have a disability, racialized and/or persons of colour.

Hot Docs is grateful to Netflix for their generosity and investing in Canadian storytellers from coast to coast to coast.

CrossCurrents Canada Doc Fund

Central to the Project was the establishment of the CrossCurrents Canada Doc Fund, which will financially support 25-40 independent documentary projects from emerging filmmakers with grants ranging from $10,000-$50,000 CAD. Both short and feature-length projects will be supported with development, production or post-production funding. The Fund fostered storytelling from within communities whose perspectives have been historically underrepresented or marginalized.

Doc Ignite

The Project enhanced the Doc Ignite labs, bringing them to groups, regions and communities that have limited access to filmmaking training opportunities. The labs provided filmmakers across Canada with professional development curriculums on such topics as audience engagement, marketing and distribution.

Doc Incubator

Hot Docs Incubator provided grants, training, mentorship, and investment to documentary film directors, producers, and editors to enhance their business development capacity and drive early interest in their current projects. The Incubator culminated with each fellow presenting a scene select at a Work-in-Progress session during the Hot Docs Festival, conference, and market.

Doc Accelerator

The Project provided 10 fellowships annually to participate in the Doc Accelerator program at the Hot Docs Festival. Following the Festival, fellows are matched with an established documentary production company in their region for a paid professional development work placement.

Supported By