Hot Docs announces TDF roster

March 11, 2010 by Lindsay Gibb

The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival has announced the line-up for this year’s Toronto Documentary Forum (TDF), which will take place May 5 and 6.

Twenty-eight projects will be presented at this year’s TDF, a live pitching session which takes place in front of an audience and a panel of international commissioning editors. The projects were selected from 175 submissions and represent 11 different countries.

‘Our goal for the TDF is simply to match content with funding and support, all the while exchanging valuable industry information in an arena that drives innovation and excellence in documentary filmmaking and factual content production,’ says Elizabeth Radshaw, director of TDF. ‘Recently, the documentary industry has seen changes such as shrinking commission budgets, fewer broadcast slots and a shift towards cross-media content. Our pitching structure is widening to encompass these elements by welcoming key decision makers such as commissioning editors, interactive executives, distributors, sales agents and third-sector representatives to the table.’

Participating buyers confirmed to date include ARTE, BBC, CBC/SRC, Channel 4, E1 Entertainment, Films Transit International Inc., HBO, NHK, RAI, Sundance Channel, TVOntario, YLE, ZDF, and others.

The projects which will be presented at this year’s TDF are: Buzkashi! by Buzkashi Productions Inc. (Canada); China Heavyweight by Necessary Illusions (Canada); END OF Everest by DunnMedia/Big Red Barn Entertainment (Canada); Family Portrait in Black and White by Interfilm Productions Inc. (Canada); The Fruit Hunters by EyeSteelFilm (Canada); The House That Herman Built by Storyline Entertainment (Canada); The Real Joey Lawrence by Canamedia Productions (Canada); The Wanted 18 by Intuitive Pictures Inc. (Canada); In Search of Oil & Sand by Middle West Films (Egypt); Leaping Over The Dragon’s Gate by NBB Navy Blue Bird Oy (Finland); Jeans: A Faded Blue Planet by Les Films du Tambour De Soie (France); The Diaper Dilemma by Nord-Ouest Documentaires (France); Istanbul 360°: A Bridge in Istanbul by Kloos & Co. Medien GmbH (Germany); Tall Girls by avanti media (Germany); Nice Jewish Boy by Halpern Productions (Israel); Cosmic Energy Inc. by EIE film (Italy); Twice by Takiseeds/NHK Enterprises (Japan); Let Me Entertain You by Eggdancer Productions (Saudi Arabia); Columbus by Red Earth Studio (UK); Africa10 by Africa Ten Enterprises, LLC (USA); Artcirq: The Inuit Circus by Northern Light Productions (USA); Connected by Highest Common Denominator Media Group (USA); Easy Like Water by Potomac Media Works (USA); Green China Rising by Lodge 9 (USA); Sembene! by Galle Ceddo Projects (USA); Sun Kissed by Sun Kissed Productions Inc, (USA); The Chameleon by The Bear Media (USA), and We Own TV by WeOwnTV (USA).

For the second year in a row, the Canwest-Hot Docs Funds TDF Pitch Prize will be awarded to the best Canadian pitch at the 2010 event, as determined by the votes of the non-Canadian commissioning editors in attendance. The winner will receive a $40,000 cash prize to be used towards the production and completion budget for their project.

Last year, the Cuban Hat Award was established when TDF observers showed an impromptu display of support by passing around a hat to raise almost $1400 for their favorite pitch at the Forum. Continuing with this ‘real cash, no strings attached’ award, the organizers have since presented the Cuban Hat Award at the 2009 IDFA Forum and will be returning it to the TDF in 2010. All the money raised over the two days of the TDF will be given to the observers’ favorite pitch, as determined by ballot.

Hot Docs runs from April 29 to May 9, 2010 in Toronto.

• » Canadian creative coalition disappointed by Supreme Court ISP decision
• » Sean Combs comes on board for "Undefeated"
• » Norm Bolen to leave CMPA in June
• » Dialogue of Cultures fest unveils documentary grant
• » Alex Cooke, Morgan Matthews join Grierson board