Hot Docs Forum, the Canadian docfest’s co-financing market event, wrapped April 6 after the presentation of 20 projects from 16 countries, with women representing 20 of the 25 directors and 36 of the 58 producers. Pitches were made to “a virtual roundtable” of more than 50 key funders and decision makers.
The Forum pitches are now available for viewing by All-Access Pass holders in the Hot Docs online conference platform until May 31.
The CAD $10,000 Canadian Forum Pitch Prize, presented in partnership with DGC National and DGC Ontario, was awarded to director Lisa Jackson for her project Wilfred Buck (produced by Lisa Jackson, Alicia Smith, Door Number 3 Productions, National Film Board of Canada), which follows a man who has been called the Indiana Jones of Indigenous star knowledge, weaving his harrowing past and present to explore colonization’s impact on Indigenous ways of knowing.
The jury gave an honourable mention (which includes a CAD $2,000 cash prize) to Made in Ethiopia, directed by Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan, produced by Tamara Dawit, Xinyan Yu, Max Duncan, Made in Ethiopia LLC (USA), Gobez Media Inc. (Canada), which tells the story of three trailblazing women who navigate the bumpy expansion of the biggest Chinese industrial park in Ethiopia.
“We are deeply humbled by the success of this year’s Forum,” said Lisa Valencia-Svensson, acting Industry Programs director. “Thanks to the tenacious filmmakers and bold decision makers who made the 22nd edition—and our second annual online event—a huge success!”
Added Dorota Lech, Hot Docs industry programmer and Forum producer: “While we were not expecting to mount another edition while physically disconnected from our international documentary community, we are tremendously inspired by the artists who persevered in finding creative approaches to filmmaking…Congratulations to all the filmmakers—we are in awe of your perseverance!”
The winners of the ‘first look’ Pitch Prize and $110,000 in cash awards, along with the recipient of the SunnySide of the Doc Pitch Prize, will be announced May 10.
