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Special Events

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

Thursday, September 21, 6:30 PM

a woman with an ornate necklace sitting on front steps of a building

Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella

Join us in recognizing International Day of Peace with this portrait of human rights champion and former Supreme Court Justice of Canada Rosalie Abella. 

Join director Barry Avrich and producer Mark Selby for a post-screening Q&A, moderated by Richard Ouzounian.

  • D: Barry Avrich
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 84 min
More details

Friday, September 22, 9:15 PM

a man in a grey suit with a bowtie

Pee-wee's Big Adventure Paul Reubens Tribute

Celebrate the life and work of Paul Reubens by joining his one-of-a-kind character Pee-wee on a wild adventure to rescue his stolen bike.
  • D: Tim Burton
  • USA
  • 1985
  • 91 min
More details

Saturday, September 23, 9:00 PM

a blonde woman singing on stairs surrounded by dancers

Burlesque sing-along

With a live burlesque performance from Toronto’s own BoylesqueTO, discover the camp classic film that should have earned Cher her second Academy Award.
  • D: Steve Antin
  • USA
  • 2010
  • 120 min
More details

Sunday, September 24, 1:30 PM

a man in a gray suit and bowtie riding a bike

Family Screening: Pee-wee's Big Adventure Paul Reubens Tribute

Celebrate the life and work of Paul Reubens by joining his one-of-a-kind character Pee-wee on a wild adventure to rescue his stolen bike.

$7.50 for 12 and under
  • D: Tim Burton
  • USA
  • 1985
  • 91 min
More details

Opens Sunday, September 24

a man in a blazer playing the guitar

Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band Robbie Robertson Tribute

Celebrate the life and music of Toronto's own Robbie Robertson with fellow Torontonian Daniel Roher's 2019 award-winning documentary on the Canadian music icon. 

Featuring a pre-recorded intro by director Daniel Roher.

Tickets: Pay what you can *$10 minimum

All ticket proceeds will be donated to Six Nations of the Grand River.

  • D: Daniel Roher
  • Canada
  • 2019
  • 100 min
More details

Thursday, September 28, 6:30 PM

the silhouette of a person sitting in front of curtains

The Rise of Wagner

With news of Wagner Group's leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin's death coming out of Russia, peel back the curtain on the secretive organization contracted to fight Russia's proxy wars.
  • D: Benoit Bringer
  • France
  • 2022
  • 104 min
More details

Saturday, September 30, 2:15 PM

a young man holding a sign that says

Bad Press National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

This FREE screening will feature an introduction by imagineNATIVE festival director Lindsay Monture and virtual Q&A with co-director Joe Peeler in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This screening is offered for free with a suggested donation to the Hot Docs-Weengushk Film Institute Fund. 100% of donations collected will go directly to Weengushk.
  • D: Rebecca Landsberry-Baker & Joe Peeler
  • USA
  • 2022
  • 98 min
More details

Sunday, October 1, 2:00 PM

two animated girls standing back to back and a snowman behind them

Frozen sing-along Family Screening

All little royals are cordially invited to a Frozen princess sing-along! Don your finest royal wear and belt out to the songs you know by heart.
  • D: Jennifer Lee & Chris Buck
  • USA
  • 2013
  • 102 min
More details

Sunday, October 1, 8:00 PM

a group of people posing for a photo in a kitchen

The Great Canadian Baking Show Season 7 Premiere

Enjoy the delectable first episode of the seventh season with a special intro from hosts Ann Pornel and Alan Shane Lewis, and join them for an exclusive Q&A following the screening.

Monday, October 2, 7:00 PM

a woman with glasses next to a book cover

Naomi Klein on Doppelganger Curious Minds Author Talks

Over the past 25 years, Naomi Klein has charted and documented our politics and culture with a series of trenchant bestselling books. Join her for the launch of Doppelganger

Moderated by award-winning writer and speaker Jesse Wente, founding director of the Indigenous Screen Office and Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Wednesday, October 4, 7:00 PM

a person in a red blazer and floral tie speaking into a microphone

Indigenous Comedy Night: Got Land? Comedy Show & Janelle Niles: Inconvenient Film Screening

An evening of comedy and conversation with a special screening of the short film Janelle Niles: Inconvenient, and a presentation of Got Land? Canada's first all-Indigenous comedy show.
  • D: Kelly Zemnickis & Cass Gardiner
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 9 min (film)
More details

Thursday, October 5, 7:15 PM

a woman and a group of men with musical instruments standing together

The South

Seeking to heal from the death of her grandmother, Italian-Canadian recording artist and dancer Andrea Ramolo explores her cultural roots in Salento, Italy. 

Immerse yourself in the sounds of The South with a special pre-screening performance of traditional Italian folk music by Alessandra Belloni and Andrea Ramolo, then stick around after the film for a Q&A with Andrea and Alessandra.

  • D: Giuseppe Marco Albano
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 66 min
More details

Friday, October 6, 9:30 PM

five vampires and a young woman standing together

Twilight

It’s that time of year, locas! From the blue filter to the problematic love story that we somehow still root for: Twilight has something for everyone. 

With an introduction by comedians Carley Thorne and Ben Sosa Wright, you won’t want to miss it.

  • D: Catherine Hardwicke
  • USA
  • 2008
  • 122 min
More details

Saturday, October 7, 6:30 PM

a woman and a book cover

Chloe Gong on Foul Heart Huntsman Curious Minds Author Talks

One of the youngest #1 New York Times bestselling authors of all time and a viral success on BookTok, join Chloe Gong on the release of her latest title, Foul Heart Huntsman

Moderated by Bridget Raymundo, Associate Producer at CBC Books and BookToker, @bridgelikesbooks.

Friday, October 13, 6:30 PM

a man looking at the camera next to a book cover

Culinary Icon: An Evening with Eric Ripert Curious Minds Author Talks

The iconic chef of Le Bernardin, which holds three Michelin stars and the most James Beard awards of any New York City restaurant, Eric Ripert presents his new book Seafood Simple

Moderated by author of Cook It Wild, food writer and critic, Chris Nuttall-Smith.

Sunday, October 15, 2:00 PM

a man with a cello on his back standing on a dirt road next to a sign post

Strangers on the Earth Quiet Time: Mindfulness at the Movies

This moving, mind-expanding film follows an American cellist’s journey along Europe's most popular pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago.
  • D: Tristan Cook
  • USA
  • 2017
  • 97 min
More details

Thursday, October 26, 4:00 PM

a man with a cowboy hat holding a square of carpet

Carpet Cowboys + Q&A

Take a big bite into the meaty saga of a rogue western Canadian fast-food chain with mysterious origins, a cult following, and a secret pathway to the immigrant dream.

Featuring a pre-recorded introduction by filmmaker John Wilson (How To with John Wilson).

Stay after the film for a pre-recorded Q&A with directors Emily Mackenzie and Noah Collier.
  • D: Emily Mackenzie & Noah Collier
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 86 min
More details

Saturday, October 28, 1:00 PM

a man with a cowboy hat holding a square of carpet

Carpet Cowboys + Q&A

Take a big bite into the meaty saga of a rogue western Canadian fast-food chain with mysterious origins, a cult following, and a secret pathway to the immigrant dream.

Featuring a pre-recorded introduction by filmmaker John Wilson (How To with John Wilson).

Stay after the film for a pre-recorded Q&A with directors Emily Mackenzie and Noah Collier.
  • D: Emily Mackenzie & Noah Collier
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 86 min
More details

Saturday, October 28, 6:30 PM

the side profile of a man's face next to a red background

Subotnick

An innovative and psychedelic multimedia experience featuring live performances captured in surround sound, celebrating one of the world's most influential electronic music composers.
  • D: Robert Fantinatto
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 88 min
More details

Sunday, October 29, 6:30 PM

a man with a cowboy hat holding a square of carpet

Carpet Cowboys + Q&A

Take a big bite into the meaty saga of a rogue western Canadian fast-food chain with mysterious origins, a cult following, and a secret pathway to the immigrant dream.

Featuring a pre-recorded introduction by filmmaker John Wilson (How To with John Wilson).

Stay after the film for a pre-recorded Q&A with directors Emily Mackenzie and Noah Collier.
  • D: Emily Mackenzie & Noah Collier
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 86 min
More details

Monday, October 30, 6:30 PM

a man with a cowboy hat holding a square of carpet

Carpet Cowboys + Q&A

Take a big bite into the meaty saga of a rogue western Canadian fast-food chain with mysterious origins, a cult following, and a secret pathway to the immigrant dream.

Featuring a pre-recorded introduction by filmmaker John Wilson. He will participate in a Q&A after the October 30 screening.

  • D: Emily Mackenzie & Noah Collier
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 86 min
More details

Friday, November 10, 6:15 PM

a sign for a burger restaurant listing their menu highlights

The Lebanese Burger Mafia

Take a big bite into the meaty saga of a rogue western Canadian fast-food chain with mysterious origins, a cult following, and a secret pathway to the immigrant dream.

The filmmakers will participate in a Q&A after the November 10 screening.

  • D: Omar Mouallem
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 103 min
More details

Friday, November 17, 9:30 PM

a group of vampires, a werewolf and a woman standing together

Breaking Dawn - Part 2

The finale is finally here, locas! Relive the magic and madness of the cult-classic saga surrounded by fellow fangirls for a night out like no other. 

With an introduction by your favourite fan girls, Carley Thorne and Meredith Mullen, you won’t want to miss it.

  • D: Bill Condon
  • USA
  • 2012
  • 115 min
  • OC
More details

Wednesday, November 22, 6:45 PM

a man in a striped shirt walking by half demolished buildings

Our Terrible Country (Baladna alraheeb) Bidayyat (Beginnings) in Syrian Revolutionary Non-fiction

Two dissidents embark on a perilous journey from Damascus to Raqqa, and then into exile in Turkey, as Syria tumbles into the abyss.

In Arabic with English subtitles.

Co-director Mohammad Ali Atassi will participate in a post-screening Q&A.

  • D: Mohammad Ali Atassi & Ziad Homsi
  • Syria
  • 2014
  • 85 min
More details

Thursday, November 23, 6:45 PM

a man filming a street of half demolished buildings

Still Recording Bidayyat (Beginnings) in Syrian Revolutionary Non-fiction

Two art students living a carefree life in Damascus decide to join the Syrian revolution by moving to Douma, a working-class suburb under rebel rule.

In Arabic and English with English subtitles.

Co-director Saeed al-Batal will participate in a post-screening Q&A.

  • D: Saeed al-Batal & Ghiath Ayoub
  • Syria, Lebanon, Qatar & Germany
  • 2018
  • 120 min
More details

Friday, November 24, 6:45 PM

a hand holding up a film negative

In Fields of Words: Conversations with Samar Yazbek (l-Sahel al-Mumtani') Bidayyat (Beginnings) in Syrian Revolutionary Non-fiction

A film-conversation between a writer and filmmaker questioning the relations between language and cinema as tools to represent war and violence.

In Arabic with English subtitles.

Co-director Rania Stephan will participate in a post-screening Q&A.

  • D: Rania Stephan
  • Lebanon
  • 2022
  • 68 min
More details

Thursday, November 30, 7:00 PM

a man next to a book cover

Peter Mansbridge on How Canada Works Curious Minds Author Talks

In this Toronto exclusive, Peter Mansbridge, the cherished former anchor of CBC’s The National, shares his new book celebrating the people and professions that make Canada work.

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