Hot Docs, North America's largest documentary festival, has announced the complete lineup of films that will be featured in its Special Presentations program. The festival is scheduled to take place from April 25 to May 5, showcasing a diverse array of documentaries from around the world.
Among the world premieres is 'Red Fever,' a film by Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond that explores the global fascination with Native Americans. Another notable premiere is 'American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly,' which delves into the controversial practice of declawing cats.
'The Ride Ahead' expands on co-director Samuel Habib's short film 'My Disability Roadmap,' offering a poignant look at a young adult navigating life with a disability while pursuing personal aspirations. 'Lost in the Shuffle' follows world champion magician Shawn Farquhar as he investigates a medieval murder cold case while developing a new magic trick.
International premieres include 'Fly,' a National Geographic documentary that follows adrenaline-seeking couples engaged in base jumping, and 'Union,' which documents Amazon workers in New York City's Staten Island as they strive to unionize.
Other films in the lineup cover a range of topics, from the tragic Le Mans race in 1955 in 'Le Mans 55: The Unauthorized Investigation' to an intimate portrait of filmmaker Michel Gondry in 'Michel Gondry, Do It Yourself.' The program also features 'Power,' an exploration of the history and impact of policing in the U.S., and 'Black Box Diaries,' which follows journalist Shiori Ito's legal battle against her sexual assailant in Japan.
With a mix of world premieres, international premieres, and Canadian premieres, the Special Presentations program at Hot Docs promises to offer audiences a thought-provoking and diverse cinematic experience.
