Documentaries share real-life stories that move audiences all over the world and the 2024 edition of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is about to showcase a number of non-fiction titles in its packed lineup. 

The largest doc festival in North America returns to Toronto at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema from April 25 – May 5, 2024.

With 168 films that span 64 countries, festival president Marie Nelson believes that the event will be an “opportunity to unite with fellow documentary lovers to share in the collective experience of being amongst the first audiences to witness unforgettable stories of human power.”

In an effort to promote gender parity, over 54 per cent of the documentaries this year were made by female directors. From stories about a political cartoonist fighting censorship to a 50+ cheerleading squad sticking together through war, here are ten must-sees that will leave you inspired. 

Courtesy of Hot Docs    

Curl Power

The 4KGIRL$ have their eyes set on the prize, hoping to finally win the Canadian Junior Curling Championship. While they give it their all on the ice, these young athletes have to cope with the challenges every teenage girl deals with, from navigating love to dealing with self-esteem. With so much pressure on and off the rink, this film directed by Josephine Anderson captures the coming-of-age experience through the perspective of five teammates/besties overcoming adversity in sport and in life. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 28 and 29

Courtesy of Hot Docs

The Day Iceland Stood Still

On October 24, 1975, Iceland saw a revolution when over 90% of the women population left their jobs and houses to protest over equal pay and work opportunities. This bold move will now be revisited through Pamela Hogan’s documentary made nearly 50 years after the event unfolded. Through a blend of animation and interviews with the women who lived out this historic moment, audiences will catch a glimpse at how this day led to changes in women’s labour rights in the country. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 29 and May 1

Courtesy of Hot Docs

Drawing a Line

Political cartoonist Rachita Taneja isn’t afraid of speaking her mind about anything from menstruation to LGBTQI+ rights through her comics. However, the new Indian government regulations towards cartoonists and journalists pose a threat to her creative and politically-charged sketches. With a lawsuit tied to her name, Rachita continues to use her art to fight against censorship in this fascinating documentary directed by Sama Pana.

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 27 and 29

Courtesy of Hot Docs

Mexican Dream

With a partner and an IVF underway, Malena embraces a second chance at being a mother while trying to make amends with her children from her first marriage. Yet, her relationship begins to fall apart when her partner says that he will leave her if the fertility treatment doesn’t work out. Faced with the reality of being alone, Malena is determined to leave her housekeeping job and start a business. In this intimate portrayal of motherhood, director Laura Plancarte aims to show how her main subject is taking back control of her own life. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 29 and May 1

Courtesy of Hot Docs

Teaches of Peaches

Toronto act Peaches (Merrill Nisker’s stage name) revisits her career during the Teaches for Peaches Anniversary Tour. As an artist that brought a different spin to electro music with sexually-charged lyrics and a whole lot of moxie in her performances, Peaches looks back at how some of her greatest hits came to be. The pop culture icon also talks about her journey prior to fame and her passion for challenging gender norms through her feisty tunes. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 26 and 27

Courtesy of Hot Docs

A Mother Apart

Staceyann Chin wears many hats, from being a talented poet to a self-proclaimed activist. Yet, a lot of her work is a product of her growing up with an absent mother. As she opens the letters she wrote to her mom as a child, Staceyann rehashes some of the pain from her past and begins to research more about the woman who impacted much of her poetry despite her absence. This documentary by Laurie Townshend shows how the burdens of a complex mother-daughter relationship can impact a poet’s craft and her own motherhood journey.

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 26 and 28

Courtesy of Hot Docs

Nice Ladies

A group of 50+ cheerleaders see their lives forever changed after Russia’s attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine in 2022. With some members of the squad choosing to stay while others moved out of the country, these women continue to connect over the phone and rehearse as a way to cope with the war. As each of them goes through a rollercoaster of emotions throughout this difficult and ongoing situation, they learn the importance of sisterhood in trying times. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on May 1 and 4

Courtesy of Hot Docs

My Sextortion Diary

Patricia Franquesa’s film is a personal story about how she takes justice into her own hands after being threatened by a hacker with access to her personal photos. To prevent her body from being exposed online, the hacker urges her to pay him thousands of dollars. Despite reaching out to the Spanish authorities, the filmmaker soon understands that even the police can’t do much to prevent her intimate pictures from getting leaked. Through this compilation of videos recorded on her phone, the documentary shows the chilling reality of online blackmail and its impact on bodily autonomy.

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 27 and 29

Courtesy of Hot Docs

American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly

Amy Hoggart uses satire to talk about the importance of standing against animal torture, particularly cat declawing. Although the procedure seems convenient for pet owners, it is tied to a powerful lobby that profits from this cruel practice. As Hoggart speaks to veterinarians and activists, this film demystifies misinformation surrounding cat declawing and what this surgery does to our feline friends. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 28 and 29

Courtesy of Hot Docs

Never Look Away

Photojournalist Margaret Moth had a phenomenal career covering war conflicts all over the world. From shots in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq to Sarajevo’s Sniper Alley, she went above and beyond to ensure that CNN viewers could see firsthand what was happening overseas, even if her life was at risk. Lucy Lawless’ directorial debut features Moth’s co-workers and friends as they attest to her bravery on the field and offer insights on the person behind the lens.

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 27, 30, and May 4

This year’s full lineup is available on the Hot Docs website.