People in the documentary industry won’t have to worry about Forum FOMO any more at Hot Docs. The festival announced today via a release that it is doing away with its tiered system and consolidating its industry passes. This year’s festival, which runs from April 25 to May 5, introduces the All-IN Industry pass, which offers access across both the festival and industry sides of Hot Docs, including its marquee event, the Forum, and exclusive access to the Opening Night Industry screening and party. Hot Docs says the move is in response to evolving filmmaker needs and feedback.
“A commitment to advancing the art of documentary and empowering the filmmaking community drives everything we do at Hot Docs,” said Elizabeth Radshaw, Hot Docs’ Industry Programs Director, in a statement. “Recognizing the changes and challenges the documentary market is navigating, we are proud to offer a more unified program that promotes accessibility, adaptability and resilience.”
Hot Docs All-IN pass consolidates perks of previous Conference and Industry and All Access passes. All-IN includes also access to Industry conference sessions, festival screenings, work-in-progress screenings, the Delegate Lounge, and online community/catalogue. (Applications are required for Deal Maker pitch meetings.) New this year, the Industry conference sessions will add “Hot Talks” and a Festival Symposium. Hot Docs also offers an Industry Screening Pass this year, which offers access to all festival screenings only.
This year’s festival also shifts the industry activities to Hart House at the University of Toronto. The move brings the industry action closer to Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema and the Isabel Bader Theatre. Industry events shifted to the Art Gallery of Ontario as Hot Docs transitioned back to in-real-life networking following the virtual editions, which had industry attendees caught in a slight no-man’s land between festival venues. Last year’s talks were located at TIFF Lightbox cinemas.
2023’s Industry conference at Hot Docs drew over 1800 delegates from 40 countries. Speakers included Oscar winning producer Shane Boris (Fire of Love), visual researcher Elizabeth Klinck, and DOC’s DocuMentality session.
The Hot Docs All-IN is offered at $725+HST with First 50 and Early Bird pricing discounts available. Industry passes go on sale on January 31. More details and programming will be announced leading up to the festival.
