Documentaries can offer us new perspectives, deep knowledge, and powerful insights, and this week is the perfect time to take in a fresh doc in Toronto. The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival has returned, showcasing 113 documentary films from 47 countries. 

From April 24-May 4, take in stories of political resistance, identity, the healing power of art, and so much more. If, like us, you’re always seeking out stories featuring strong women, the Hot Docs Persister program is a great place to start, spotlighting 7 feature films with stories of women speaking up and being heard. 

We highlighted a few women-led films from this program and the rest of the Hot Docs lineup that we think you’ll want to catch at this year’s festival.

Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance

The opening night film for this year’s festival is Parade, which spotlights pivotal moments in Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ rights movement. With rarely seen archival footage, the documentary shines a light on the complex history of the queer community in our country, from police raids to early drag shows to community organizing. Bold and hopeful, the film honours activists and elders who led the resistance for the rights we have today, while also showing how easily these rights can be revoked. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 24, 26, and May 3. 

The Nest

In this deeply personal film, Julietta Singh returns to her childhood home at the end of her mother’s life. As she digs into the history of her haunted house, she uncovers the stories of several forgotten matriarchs—Japanese, Deaf, Métis, Indigenous, and Irish rebels and revolutionaries, all connected through one home. Singh and co-director Chase Joynt tell this powerful story of memory, matriarchy, and identity spanning over 140 years. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 27 and 30. 

The Last Ambassador

Manizha Bakhtari is Afghanistan’s only female ambassador. Since the Taliban took over in 2021, she has fearlessly fought against gender discrimination, secretly providing education to Afghan girls despite facing constant threats to her safety. The Last Ambassador shares how Bakhtari continues to risk her life for the women in her country, becoming one of the world’s most important voices for Afghan women today. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 25, 27 and May 4.  

Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore

Marlee Matlin, the first Deaf actress to win an Academy Award, tells the story of her life, tumultuous rise to fame, and groundbreaking career in this candid doc. Matlin’s Oscar-winning performance in Children of a Lesser God was only one part of her legacy. The film documents her fight for Deaf representation in film and TV, paving the way for ASL speakers who continue to seek out space in the world of cinema.

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

Come See Me in the Good Light

Facing an incurable cancer diagnosis, Colorado Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson prepares for one final performance. Alongside their partner and fellow poet Megan Falley, Andrea embarks on a poignant journey filled with moments of heartache and humour, demonstrating the healing power of art and the beauty of true love, culminating with a career-defining spoken word performance. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 26, May 3 and 4. 

Marriage Cops

In northern India, an all-women police unit mediates troubled marriages. This documentary is an intimate look at the domestic conflicts that unfold between three couples in the bustling station, mediated by officers who navigate layers of contradictions, power struggles, and raw human emotions. Marriage Cops examines a complex institution that reflects the realities of gender inequality in India, where societal norms clash with women’s rights.

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 27, 29 and May 3.  

Selena y Los Dinos

If you know and love Selena, this one is for you! Witness the journey of vocal powerhouse Selena Quintanilla, also known as the “Queen of Tejano Music”. From early performances at quinceañeras to selling out the Houston Astrodome, this musical icon broke barriers for women in Tejano music. Told through never-before-seen family archives, Selena’s family and bandmates continue to celebrate the legacy of a legend gone too soon.

See it at Hot Docs Festival on May 1 and 3. 

MAMA

Emotional, vulnerable, and deeply personal, MAMA documents director Ana Cristina Benítez’s journey after receiving a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis that upended her life. As she reflects on her years-long medical treatment, she embarks on a raw, unfiltered healing journey for both body and soul, diving deep into her relationships, childhood memories, and connection to her body. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 27 and 29. 

Agatha’s Almanac

90-year-old Agatha Bock is a fiercely independent Mennonite woman, living alone on her ancestral farm in Manitoba. With no car, cell phone, or even running water, Agatha spends her days tending to her crops and garden. Directed by Amalie Atkins, and shot over six years by an all-woman crew, this is a quiet portrait of a simpler way of living, focusing on the stillness and meditative rituals of farm life. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 27 and May 2. 

Writing Hawa

Director Najiba Noori tells her mother’s story in this timely doc, capturing the state of women’s rights in Afghanistan. After leaving a 40-year arranged marriage, Hawa yearns to reinvent herself, open her own business, and learn to read and write. But when the Taliban returns to power, Hawa’s dreams for herself and her family are shattered, and she must make a life-changing decision: flee her home in fear of persecution, or stay with her family. 

See it at Hot Docs Festival on April 29 and May 2. 

See the full lineup of films on the Hot Docs website.