The upcoming 2025 Hot Docs Festival, April 24 to May 4, will boldly expand the scope of its popular Made In program, shifting the spotlight from a single country to instead celebrate the powerful voices of filmmakers and protagonists in exile.
For the first time in the program's history, Made In will showcase documentaries created by filmmakers and participants who, driven from their homelands by war, conflict, or humanitarian crises, continue to tell stories that demand to be heard. This year's lineup will include deeply personal and timely narratives from Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine and beyond, offering audiences a rare and resonant perspective on survival, displacement and the enduring strength of the creative spirit.
"This special program has been years in the making. With each festival, we’ve seen a growing number of projects addressing exile and displacement, and it feels as though we've reached a boiling point in history. We deeply believe in the power of documentary filmmaking to build bridges, foster empathy and bear witness to the world’s most urgent realities," shared Heather Haynes, Hot Docs' Director of Programming. "Through the Made In Exile program, we honour the crucial work of filmmakers and participants who, despite unimaginable challenges, continue to create and inspire. These are stories of survival, courage and unyielding hope."
Titles in the Made In Exile program will be announced at the Hot Docs Festival 2025 Press Conference on Tuesday, March 25.
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