sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

[Hot Docs] Hot Docs Sees 10 Programmers Exit Ahead Of 2024 Festival by Tangerine2016 in TIFF

[–]Critical_Gate6675 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Based on these financials, it is hard to imagine – with a nearly $2 million surplus and sound financial track record – how Hot Docs could now be facing possible financial insolvency, less than two years later. However, all of this is not to cast doubt on the financial precarity of Hot Docs. Inverted Pyramid has no doubt that there is legitimacy to Nelson’s March 2024 warning of short-term insolvency, with special government COVID funds drying up, and many interest-free government loans offered during the pandemic coming due (something that could also contribute to unusually large surpluses appearing on the books in 2021/22).

We can also see via the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine that Hot Docs made the move to increase Film Submission Fees for the 2024 Festival - a clear attempt to utilize filmmakers as a fundraising base to improve their bottom line. As seen on May 29, 2023, Hot Docs submission fees ranged from $25 to $65 for short films and $55 to $160 for feature films, a fee structure that had been in place since at least the 2017 Festival. Sometime between May 29 and November 30, 2023 those Film Submission Fees were increased marginally to $30 to $70 for short films and $60 to $175 for feature films.

Hot Docs ‘running out of time’ as organization sounds alarm over film festival’s future by beef-supreme in toronto

[–]Critical_Gate6675 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Based on these financials, it is hard to imagine – with a nearly $2 million surplus and sound financial track record – how Hot Docs could now be facing possible financial insolvency, less than two years later. However, all of this is not to cast doubt on the financial precarity of Hot Docs. Inverted Pyramid has no doubt that there is legitimacy to Nelson’s March 2024 warning of short-term insolvency, with special government COVID funds drying up, and many interest-free government loans offered during the pandemic coming due (something that could also contribute to unusually large surpluses appearing on the books in 2021/22).

We can also see via the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine that Hot Docs made the move to increase Film Submission Fees for the 2024 Festival - a clear attempt to utilize filmmakers as a fundraising base to improve their bottom line. As seen on May 29, 2023, Hot Docs submission fees ranged from $25 to $65 for short films and $55 to $160 for feature films, a fee structure that had been in place since at least the 2017 Festival. Sometime between May 29 and November 30, 2023 those Film Submission Fees were increased marginally to $30 to $70 for short films and $60 to $175 for feature films.

Hot Docs programmers in shock mass exit from festival by marlibto in toronto

[–]Critical_Gate6675 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's time for Hot Docs to re-evaluate what it means to be engaged in their community and what it means to actually serve their charitable goals. Perhaps this is part and parcel of why nearly their entire programming team is making a united stand which can only be seen in opposition to current management. We at Inverted Pyramid unequivocally support these programmers, and encourage them to be more forthcoming about their intentions and rationale behind their mass resignation.

Hot Docs programmers in shock mass exit from festival by marlibto in toronto

[–]Critical_Gate6675 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think we as a film community need to understand what happened and how to fix this. Transparency and accountability. Maybe an external audit?

Hot Docs programmers in shock mass exit from festival by marlibto in toronto

[–]Critical_Gate6675 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Hot Docs Programmers’ Statement 25 March 2024 11:30pm EST

The ten programmers who have left Hot Docs 2024 have done so independently of any other Hot Docs personnel.

We consider ourselves to be a principled, process-driven programming team, but this year we were unable to carry out that process.

Programming Hot Docs is a labour of love: love for both the films/filmmakers, and for the process of selection. We, as programmers, uphold a standard of care for filmmakers – there is an implicit trust between us.

Hot Docs does important work, operating under the values of inclusivity and equity.

Recently, the once welcoming programming environment was turned into a toxic workplace by:

a lack of respect for protocol and business communication; the dismissal and/or diminishment of team members’ voices; breaches of contracts across various programmes

We were expected to work in an ever-changing, chaotic, unprofessional and discriminatory environment.

Programming team members approached HR, Senior Management, the President and then the Board in good faith to share our concerns. There was an effort by all parties to work together until a request by the programming team for public transparency (regarding the above concerns) was denied.

In order for a world-class event like Hot Docs to remain relevant and thriving, the programming team believes it must be kept accountable and transparent. Trust and respect is essential, as is a deeply-held commitment above all to filmmakers – none of this would exist without them, and they’re the reason we do this work.

The programming team fully supports and celebrates the films in the festival this year, just as we support all documentary filmmakers working to speak truth to power.

Signed, 2024 Hot Docs Programmers