Hot Docs 2009 Press Conference
Chris McDonald, Executive Director of Hot Docs. (Photo: Jay Kerr)
Hot Docs held a press conference this morning to kick off the 16th edition of its documentary film festival. Sean Farnel, Director of Programming said that the selection of films this year is the best yet. They received 1,948 entries and will be showing 171 films in various programs. No wonder Farnel is excited.
Director, Jennifer Baichwal’s film Act of God will kick off this year’s festival. The film is described as “an elegant and absorbing meditation on the metaphysical effects of being struck by lightning”.
Baichwal’s last two films, Manufactured Landscapes and The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams’ Appalachia were fabulous. You won’t want to miss Act Of God if you’re planning to attend the festival this year.
Jennifer Baichwal, director of Act Of God. (Photo: Jay Kerr)
Some of the films that I plan to see (and review) are:
- Prom Night in Mississippi Morgan Freeman’s hometown finally has its first racially integrated senior prom, in 2008!
- Objectified. Gary Hustwit’s follow up to the popular Helvetica.
- Tyson. The life of Mike. Never boring.
- Carmen Meets Borat. What happens when Borat comes to town?
- The Cove. Won the Audience Award at Sundance.
A full list of films and schedules is available on the Hot Docs website.
I’ll be covering the festival again with James at Toronto Screen Shots and cross-posting my reviews here at Bombippy. I don’t think I’ll be getting a lot of sleep in April.
171 films, 36 world premieres, North America’s largest documentary festival. If you live in Toronto, you are truly spoiled. Don’t wait until it is too late. Order your tickets today and see some amazing films.
Posted in Hot Docs at 4:36 PM
