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Special Events

Check out these upcoming special events and screenings at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema!

Wednesday, March 22, 7:00 PM

a woman and a book cover

Monica Heisey on Really Good, Actually Curious Minds Author Talks

Join author Monica Heisey and some of Toronto's most talented storytellers for a spirited night of live stories and conversation. 

Monica will take the Hot Docs stage with a cast of very funny friends—including Gawker's Sarah Hagi (moderator), Nobody Cares author Anne T. Donahue, Workin' Moms' Dani Kind and Meredith MacNeill of Baroness von Sketch Show and Pretty Hard Cases.

Friday, March 24, 5:00 PM

a person's reflection in the rear view mirror

A Thousand Cuts

With press freedom under threat in the Philippines, A Thousand Cuts goes inside the escalating war between the government and the press. The documentary follows Maria Ressa, a renowned journalist who has become a top target of President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on the news media.

We’re delighted to welcome Maria Ressa in-person to Hot Docs Cinema on Monday, March 27. Tickets here.

  • D: Ramona S. Diaz
  • USA & Philipines
  • 2020
  • 99 min
More details

Sunday, March 26, 2:00 PM

four animated dinosaurs

The Land Before Time with ROM specimens Family Screening

Bring the whole family to this fun interactive event featuring touchable specimens from the ROM's new exhibition T. rex: The Ultimate Predator and a screening of a beloved dino classic.
  • D: Don Bluth
  • USA
  • 1988
  • 69 min
More details

Monday, March 27, 7 PM

a woman and a book cover

Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa on How to Stand Up to a Dictator Curious Minds Author Talks

At a time when a free press has never been more under attack, no one globally has done more to speak truth to power than Maria Ressa, the winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. 

Moderated by award-winning journalist, filmmaker and CJFE Board Member Michelle Shephard.

Featuring an introduction with broadcast journalist and author Carol Off.

Friday, March 31, 9:30 PM

three people at a microphone

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Come do the "Time Warp" again with this cult classic, presented with Toronto's own Shadow Cast who perform their satirical version during the screening. 
  • D: Jim Sharman
  • United Kingdom & USA
  • 1975
  • 100 min
More details

Sunday, April 2, 6:30 PM

four people standing together

OKAY! (The ASD Band Film)

Jam with The ASD Band, featuring four talented autistic individuals. Life on the spectrum has many individual challenges, but together, anything is possible. 

The April 2 screening will be introduced by Tyler Stewart of the Barenaked Ladies, and followed by a live performance by the band and a Q&A moderated by actor and model Lauren Howe.

  • D: Mark Bone
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 86 min
More details

Saturday, April 8, 12:30 PM

a man playing the piano

Relaxed Screening: OKAY! The ASD Band Film

Jam with The ASD Band, featuring four talented autistic individuals. Life on the spectrum has many individual challenges, but together, anything is possible.

Relaxed screenings offer a sensory friendly environment for those in the neuro-diverse community or for anyone who may benefit from a more informal viewing atmosphere. 

View the film's fact sheet

  • D: Mark Bone
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 86 min
More details

Sunday, April 9, 1:45 PM

a person's head emerging from the water

Citizen of Moria

When Ahmad’s life comes under threat by the Taliban in Afghanistan, he leaves home and ends up in Europe’s most notorious refugee camp: Moria. 

Join directors Jawad Mir and Ahmad Ebrahimi (Zoom) for a post-screening Q&A, moderated by Hot Docs programmer Aisha Jamal.

  • D: Ahmad Ebrahimi & Jawad Mir
  • Canada & Greece
  • 2022
  • 75 min
More details

Opens Friday, April 15

a woman looking at the camera

Judy Blume Forever

With humour, sensitivity and a healthy dose of adolescent cringe, meet the woman whose trail-blazing books changed the way millions of readers understand themselves. 

Pre-recorded Q&A with directors Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok after each screening. Moderated by writer and culture critic Amil Niazil

  • D: Davina Pardo & Leah Wolchok
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 97 min
More details

Saturday, April 15, 9:00 PM

a group of women singing

Pitch Perfect Sing-Along

Get ready for a sing-along, pitches! Sing along to the film and delight in a special guest performance from the University of Toronto's award-winning acapella group, Tunes. Beats. Awesome.
  • D: Jason Moore
  • USA
  • 2012
  • 142 min
More details

Opens Sunday, April 16

a person in front of a field with fire

Rojek

Combining gorgeous cinematography with incredible access, filmmaker Zaynê Akyol attempts to understand what motivates now-detained members of ISIS. 

Featuring a pre-recorded Q&A with filmmaker Zaynê Akyol.

  • D: Zaynê Akyol
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 128 min
More details

Tuesday, April 18, 6:30 PM

a person looking at the camera with green glitter makeup

Green Wave (Marea Verde)

Across South America, there are cries for legal, safe and free abortion. Meet some of the many people who have been pushing for change for over 20 years.

Presented in partnership with Planned Parenthood Toronto.

  • D: Angel Giovanni Hoyos
  • Argentina, Colombia
  • 2021
  • 75 min
More details

Wednesday, April 19, 11:30 AM

three people talking

Come On Children  National Canadian Film Day

Ten teenagers journey down a path to self-discovery as they adjust to life on a farm in this examination of the stress and alienation of adolescence.

This screening is FREE for everyone as part of National Canadian Film Day, a massive, coast-to-coast-to-coast salute to Canadian cinema!

  • D: Allan King
  • Canada
  • 1973
  • 95 min
More details

Wednesday, April 19, 2:15 PM

two men talking with hockey sticks

Black Ice National Canadian Film Day

This incisive, urgent documentary examines the role of Black players in Canadian hockey, all the way to the struggles against racism that continue to this day. 

This screening is FREE for everyone as part of National Canadian Film Day, a massive, coast-to-coast-to-coast salute to Canadian cinema!

  • D: Hubert Davis
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 97 min
More details

Saturday, April 22, 2:30 PM

a boy and a whale

Free Willy  Earth Day

A story of friendship and caring that teaches important lessons on animal conservation without ever getting preachy, Free Willy is a perfect family outing for Earth Day.
  • D: Simon Wincer
  • USA
  • 1993
  • 112 min
More details

Saturday, April 22, 5:30 PM

a group of people holding up a banner

Youth Unstoppable Earth Day

From flood ravaged villages in Nepal to the Alberta tar sands, discover a powerful vision for the future of our planet and the youth who will lead us there.
  • D: Slater Jewel-Kemker
  • Canada
  • 2018
  • 86 min
More details

Sunday, April 23, 6:15 PM

two people smiling on stage

Memorial Screening for Ravi Srinivasan: Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

In loving memory of friend and colleague Ravi Srinivasan, whom we lost on January 14, 2023, we screen this film that meant so much to him personally and professionally.
  • D: Steve Loveridge
  • United Kingdom, USA, Sri Lanka
  • 2018
  • 95 min
More details

Sunday, May 14, 2:30 PM

a woman next to a book cover

R.F. Kuang on Yellowface Curious Minds Author Talks

For her legions of fans, R.F. Kuang is more than just a writer; she’s a cultural phenomenon, a #1 New York Times bestselling author with her finger on the pulse of what discerning readers want—and need—to read. 

Moderated by Thea Lim, author of An Ocean of Minutes. 

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