Yahoo Lifestyle Marlee Matlin, Bellingcat Co-Founder, Brazilian Televangelist Among Subjects of Special Presentation Titles at Hot Docs
Hot Docs, North America’s leading documentary festival, has unveiled the first slate of films to screen as part of its Special Presentations program. Subjects include Oscar-winning actor Marlee Matlin, Christo Grozev, an investigative journalist and co-founder of Bellingcat, Israeli comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi, and Silas Malafaia, Brazil’s most prominent televangelist, in the latest film from Petra Costa, Oscar-nominated for “The Edge of Democracy.”
Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh’s “The Nest,” described as a “deeply personal exploration of memory, identity and intergenerational storytelling,” makes its world premiere.
More from Variety
International premieres include “Deaf President Now!,” a chronicle of the landmark student protest that transformed accessibility rights in the U.S.; and “Life After,” in which filmmaker Reid Davenport investigates the troubling implications of assisted suicide laws for disabled people.
Making their Canadian premieres are “Antidote,” a real-life thriller following investigative journalist Christo Grozev, co-founder of Bellingcat, and political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza as they challenge Russia’s political machine; “Apocalypse in the Tropics,” Oscar-nominated filmmaker Petra Costa’s look at the rise of religious fundamentalism in Brazil; “Coexistence, My Ass!,” where comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi navigates the Israel-Palestine conflict with razor-sharp wit; “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” a portrait of the trailblazing Deaf actor; and “Saints and Warriors,” which captures the fierce competition and community spirit of the All Native Basketball Tournament in British Columbia.
The festival runs April 24 to May 4 in Toronto. The full selection of films to screen at Hot Docs will be announced on March 25.
“Antidote”
Dir: James Jones, Prod: James Jones, U.K., 2024, 90 mins, Canadian Premiere
How does it feel to be on Putin’s most-wanted list? Christo Grozev, an investigative journalist and co-founder of Bellingcat, is on the run, while Vladimir Kara-Murza, a political activist, stands trial for treason. A doc-thriller about those resisting and confronting the Russian regime.
“Apocalypse in the Tropics”
Dir: Petra Costa, Prod: Petra Costa, Alessandra Orofino, Brazil, U.S., Denmark, 2024, 110 mins, Canadian Premiere
In “Apocalypse in the Tropics,” Petra Costa, Oscar-nominated for “The Edge of Democracy,” turns her attention to Brazil’s most prominent televangelist, Silas Malafaia, delving into the rise of religious fundamentalism in politics and its close ties to the far-right nationalist movement.
“Coexistence, My Ass!”
Dir: Amber Fares, Prod: Rachel Leah Jones, Amber Fares, Valérie Montmartin, U.S., France, 2025, 95 mins, Canadian Premiere
Mixing the personal with the political, Israeli comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi boldly confronts the Israel-Palestine conflict in her one-woman show. Skilfully navigating massive social and political divides with wit and humor, she challenges audiences with hard truths that are no laughing matter.
“Deaf President Now!”
Dir: Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, Prod: Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, Amanda Rohlke, Jonathan King, Michael Harte, U.S., 2024, 100 mins, International Premiere
When Gallaudet University’s board selected a hearing president over two deaf candidates in 1988, the almost entirely Deaf and hard-of-hearing student body pushed back, sparking a revolution that influenced the future of disability rights.
“Life After”
Dir: Reid Davenport, Prod: Colleen Cassingham, U.S., 2025, 99 mins, International Premiere
Disability cinema auteur Reid Davenport takes on assisted suicide, exploring how a practice intended to empower end-of-life decision-making has exposed the long-standing devaluation of disabled life.
“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore”
Dir: Shoshannah Stern, Prod: Robyn Kopp, Justine Nagan, Bonni Cohen, Shoshannah Stern, U.S., 2025, 97 mins, Canadian Premiere
Pioneering Deaf performer Marlee Matlin opens up about her life and career, including her meteoric and tumultuous rise to fame with her Oscar-winning performance in “Children of a Lesser God.”
“The Nest”
Dir: Chase Joynt, Julietta Singh, Prod: Alicia Smith, Justine Pimlott, Canada, 2025, 89 mins, World Premiere
At the end of her mother’s life, director Julietta Singh returns to her childhood home, where centuries of forgotten matriarchs emerge to reveal stories of resistance and resilience. Indigenous, Deaf, Japanese and South Asian histories intertwine, buried in a house full of secrets.
“Saints and Warriors”
Dir: Patrick Shannon, Prod: Michael Grand, Canada, 2024, 97 mins, Canadian Premiere
For over 60 years, teams have gathered on the Pacific west coast for the All Native Basketball Tournament. As the defending champions, the Skidegate Saints, battle to keep their title, it’s clear the event has become a symbol of resilience, community and culture.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
