Hot Docs has announced the first two events for its annual podcast festival. Running at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema from October 18 to 22, the Hot Docs Podcast Festival returns with Articles of Interest and Under the Influence. The two events will feature live conversations with voices from the most popular podcasts on the web.
Articles of Interest brings host Avery Trufelman and Canadian designer/activist Aurora James for a conversation about all things fashion. The Hot Docs event will focus on James’s memoir Wildflower and some of her famous designs include the “Tax the Rich” dress worn by congressional representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the 2021 Met Gala. The conversation with James will also touch upon her influence and her emphasis on Black visibility through fashion.
Under the Influence, meanwhile, will record its first live episode since the Terry O’Reilly-hosted series appeared at the inaugural festival in 2016. The series focuses on the allure and machinery of advertising and the tricks of the trade that draw consumers to certain brands and campaigns.
Additionally, the festival will include an industry component with the Creators Forum running October 19 and 20. The talks in these sessions explore industry trends and tips through master classes and panels, while giving networking opportunities to aspiring podcasters and seasoned recorders alike. Publishers and agencies expected to attend include Conde Nast, Media Girlfriends, Pushkin Industries, CBC, NPR, Canadaland, Acast, and Bumper. Additional programming will be announced on Sept 5. Earlier this year, Hot Docs introduced podcasting to its spring festival in both the industry sessions and public programming.
