For the past 20 years, Hot Docs has brought a wealth of documentary film to Toronto. From the raw to the informative to the boundary-pushing, no matter what your taste in docs, there’s something for you at the festival, which runs from April 25th-May 5th at various locations around the city. We feel almost spoiled by the amount of amazing work there is to see. It’s one of those cultural events that makes us truly grateful to live in this city. Below, our top picks from the amazing slew of female-directed pieces showing at this year’s festival. 

After Tiller

This doc follows the only four doctors in the US still performing third-trimester abortions after the 2009 assassination of Dr. George Tiller. 

Screenings: 
Wed, May 1,9 pm. Isabel Bader Theatre. Buy tickets. 
Thu, May 2, 3 pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox 1. Buy tickets. 
Sun, May 5, 2 pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox 1. Buy tickets. 

Anita 

Anita Hill brought sexual harassment to national attention when she testified against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. In this doc by Oscar winner Freida Mock, Hill speaks about the experience for the first time on film. 

Screenings: 
Fri, Apr. 26, 8:30 pm. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. SOLD OUT.
Sat, Apr. 27, 1:30 pm. Isabel Bader Theatre. SOLD OUT. 
Sat, May 4, 4 pm. Isabel Bader Theatre. Buy tickets.

Chi 

Canadian actress Babz Chula seeks cancer treatment at an ayurvedic clinic in India. The experience rejuvenates her spirit, but when she comes back to Canada, she learns she only has weeks to live. 

Screenings (with Mary & Myself): 
Sat, Apr 27, 8 pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox 3.  Buy Tickets.
Mon, Apr 29, 11 am. Isabel Bader Theatre. Buy Tickets.
Sat, May 4, 1 pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox 3.  Buy Tickets.

Softening
Director Kelly O’Brien’s “cinematic journal” of the life of her second son, born with extensive brain damage. 

Screenings (Just As I Remember): 
Sat, Apr. 27. 7:30 pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox 4. SOLD OUT.
Mon, Apr 29, 4 pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox 3.  Buy Tickets.

The Women and The Passenger

Chambermaids at the rent-by-the-hour El Passajero Motel talk love and life in between cleaning up the remnants of their guests’ trysts. 

Screenings (with Dear Valued Guests): 
Mon, Apr 29, 7 pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox 4. SOLD OUT. 
Wed, May 1, 1 pm, Scotiabank 3. Buy Tickets. 
Thu, May 2, 9:15 pm, Scotiabank 4. Buy Tickets. 

American Commune 

Two women who were raised in a Tennessee commune called The Farm return to a past they’ve spent years hiding, and chart the success and failure of the social experiment where they were raised. 

Screenings:
Mon, Apr. 29, 7 pm, The Royal Cinema. Buy Tickets. 
Wed, May 1, 3:30 pm, The ROM Theatre. Buy Tickets. 
Fri, May 3, 5:30 pm, Hart House Theatre. Buy Tickets. 

The Defector: Escape from North Korea

Using hidden cameras, this doc follows two North Korean women living in China as they try to flee to Thailand and escape deportation. 

Screenings: 
Sat, Apr 27, 9 pm, Scotiabank 4. SOLD OUT.
Mon, Apr 29, 3:30 pm, Scotiabank 3. Buy Tickets. 
Sat, May 4, 6:30 pm, The Regent. Buy Tickets. 

Lucky

The story of a homeless mother struggling on the streets of New York City. 

Screenings (with Pink or Blue?): 
Mon, Apr. 29, 9 pm, Scotiabank 4.  Buy Tickets.
Tues, Apr. 30, 1:30 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 3. Buy Tickets. 

The Punk Singer

A documentary on riot grrl Kathleen Hanna, legendary singer of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. WE ARE SO EXCITED. 

Screenings:
Mon, Apr 29, 9:30 pm, The Royal Cinema. Buy Tickets. 
Wed, May 1, 8 pm, Hart House Theatre. Buy Tickets. 
Fri, May 3, 6:30 pm, Scotiabank 3. Buy Tickets.