Hot Docs Canadian Intern’l Documentary Fest 2025 to showcase powerful voices of filmmakers and protagonists in exile

Toronto/CMEDIA: It was announced by Hot Docs today that the upcoming Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2025, April 24 to May 4 in Toronto, will boldly expand the scope of its popular Made In program, shifting the spotlight from a single country to instead celebrate the powerful voices of filmmakers and protagonists in exile.

Made In Exile will showcase documentaries created by filmmakers and participants — for the first time in the program’s history — driven from their homelands by war, conflict, or humanitarian crises, continuing to tell stories that demand to be heard.

Included in this year’s lineup are deeply personal and timely narratives from Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine and beyond, whereby audiences are offered a rare and resonant perspective on survival, displacement and the enduring strength of the creative spirit.

“This special program has been years in the making….deeply believe in the power of documentary filmmaking to build bridges, foster empathy and bear witness to the world’s most urgent realities… Made In Exile program, we urgently amplify the critical work of filmmakers and participants who, despite unimaginable challenges, continue to tell their stories…of survival, courage and unyielding hope that must be heard.” shared Heather Haynes, Hot Docs’ Director of Programming.

Titles in the Made In Exile program will be announced at the Hot Docs Festival 2025 Press Conference on Tuesday, March 25.

Past Made In programs have showcased the vibrant documentary traditions of countries including Spain (2024), Ukraine (2023), Chile (2022), Colombia (2021), Northern Ireland (2020), Italy (2019), Mexico (2018), Japan (2017), Australia (2016), India (2015), Denmark (2014), Poland (2013), Southeastern Europe (2012), Italy (2011), South America (2010), South Korea (2009), Mexico (2008), Brazil (2007), Japan (2006), South Africa (2004) and Taiwan (2003).

North America’s leading documentary festival, Hot Docs (www.hotdocs.ca) conference and market, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating the art of documentary and to creating production opportunities for documentary filmmakers.

Hot Docs will present its 32nd annual edition from April 24 to May 4, 2025, in cinemas across Toronto. While also mounting a dynamic series of knowledge sessions, networking opportunities and market programs for documentary practitioners and industry delegates, Hot Docs will include the renowned Hot Docs Deal Maker and Works-in-Progress screenings.

Supporting the Canadian and international industry with professional development programs and a multi-million-dollar film fund portfolio year-round, Hot Docs fosters education through documentaries with its popular free program Docs For Schools. Hot Docs owns and programs the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood and the world’s first and largest documentary cinema.

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