Hot Docs Announcements

JENNIFER BAICHWAL’S ACT OF GOD TO OPEN HOT DOCS 2009!

Hot Docs is delighted to announce that the world premiere of Toronto-based director Jennifer Baichwal’s ACT OF GOD will open the 2009 Festival on Thursday, April 30, at the Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge Street.

ACT OF GOD explores the metaphysical effects of being struck by lightning. The event represents the paradox of being singled out by randomness, and so precipitates questions about chance, fate and meaning in life.

Individual tickets for the opening night screening of ACT OF GOD will be available starting March 24. Tickets for opening night gala activities, which include a pre-screening reception, the screening and opening night gala party at the ROM’s Chen Crystal Court are available now and can be purchased online at http://www.hotdocs.ca.

ACT OF GOD will make its theatrical release on May 1, 2009.


AWARD-WINNING SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ANNOUNCED; FULL FESTIVAL LINE UP REVEALED NEXT WEEK

Hot Docs is pleased to announce seven films that will be a part of year’s Special Presentations program. These high profile, award-winning documentaries from the recent festival circuit are the first selections of the Hot Docs Festival to be announced. Offering compelling stories from around the world, all will be receiving their Canadian premieres at Hot Docs. The selections are:

+ AFGHAN STAR (D: Havana Marking, 90 Min,UK);
+ EL OLIVIDO (OBLIVION) (D: Heddy Honigmann, 93 Min, Netherlands);
+ WE LIVE IN PUBLIC (D: Ondi Timoner, 90 Min, USA);
+ BURMA VJ - REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY (D: Anders Hogsbro Ostergaard, 85 Min, Denmark);
+ ROUGH AUNTIES (D: Kim Longinotto, 103 Min, UK);
+ RENÉ (D: Helena Tretíková, 83 Min, Czech Republic);
+ THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD (D: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno and Kurt Engfehr, 90 Min, France, UK, USA)