Hot Docs

Those who know me well know that the most wonderful time of the year for me isn't Christmas, it's Hot Docs. Now in its 21st year, Hot Docs is North America's largest documentary film festival and this year it will screen 197 docs from 43 countries over 11 days. After a bit of mental math, I realized that this year will be my 10th year attending Hot Docs, going from seeing a single film in my first year to buying a Premium Pass annually. So why have I become such an avid Hot Doc'er?

Hot Docs is my favorite Toronto-based film festival for a number of reasons. The first is that I am a huge fan of documentary films. I love that even if you see a lousy doc, you're still guaranteed to come away from it having learned something. More often than not, however, lousy docs aren't something you need to worry about at Hot Docs. These docs are hand-picked by skilled programmers and represent the best in documentary filmmaking around the world. Many docs that screen at Hot Docs go on to receive Oscar nominations and, in some cases, Oscar wins.

I also have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Hot Docs as a film festival. Unlike other high-profile Toronto film festivals (who shall remain nameless) Hot Docs attempts to be as accessible to the general public as possible. Ticket prices are affordable and daytime screenings are free for students and seniors. Also, if you're a little nutty about seeing as many docs as possible (like me!) Hot Docs has a limited number of all-access Premium Passes available for purchase, which entitles the bearer to see as many docs as they can physically stand to see. This pass allows for a level of flexibility and value that doesn't exist at other high-profile Toronto film festivals (you know who you are guys).

This year, I intend to see 38 docs. I know. I have a sickness. My personal record is 32 so we'll see how this goes. It's not easy to see so many films in a (relatively) short amount of time, but it is absolutely possible. Of course, this will become my full-time job beginning Friday evening. I am fortunate enough to have the ability to take the week off from work and just go balls out crazy. And what am I most excited about seeing? Well I just so happened to make a list!

TOP 10 HOT DOCS PICKS

Advanced Style
A look at New York's most fashionable ladies in the 60+ crowd.

Beyond Clueless
Exploring the teen movie genre from John Hughes* to "fetch".

Everything Will Be
Vancouver's Chinatown is changing rapidly, what effect will this have on its long-time merchants?

Harmontowm
Follow ex-(now current) Community showrunner Dan Harmon on his self-destructive comedy tour.

Hotline
A look behind who is on the other end of the phone at various hotlines across the world.

Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story
Filmmakers stop buying groceries for six months and live off of discarded food to highlight the issue of waste.

The Possibilities Are Endless
Scottish singer Edwyn Collins attempts to rebuild his life and career while recovering from a devastating stroke.

Songs For Alexis
Popular local musician and transgendered teen Ryan must deal with disapproval from his girlfriend Alexis' family.

Vessel
Activist group Women on Waves provides safe abortions to women while sailing international waters using maritime legal loopholes.

Watchers of the Sky
A history of the word "genocide" and the fight to have it globally recognized and condemned.

This could have just as easily been a list of 15, 20 or all 38 of my picks. It pains me to exclude titles because really I'm excited about seeing all of them. So, goodbye for now world. If you need me in the next 10 days I'll be sitting in a theatre, watching all the docs, learning many things and feeling all the feelings. It's going to be great!

*Correction: Beyond Clueless does not cover John Hughes movies as part of its look at the teen movie genre. It focuses on mid-90s films to present day.