Hot Docs

Hot Docs Forum Format

Please note that the Hot Docs Forum is a limited-seating event requiring separate, advance registration with an All-Access Pass. Passes will only remain on sale until all passes have sold out.

Selected documentary producers publicly pitch their projects to over 180 key international broadcasters and financiers from Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America and around the world, and to a gallery of accredited delegates.

For buyers, the Hot Docs Forum offers a curated slate of projects in development or production by elite international filmmakers. Delegates gain prime industry intelligence and valuable networking opportunities with commissioners, buyers, financiers and other filmmakers.

Goals of the Hot Docs Forum

• To match exceptional, international content with funding and support
• To offer effective intimate and intense access to quality networking with key industry executives
• To showcase selected projects and production companies
• To open space for new and emerging talent
• To offer space for documentary in all of its forms, be it feature, broadcast hour, series, interactive or other
• To offer professional development, insight and learning for all attendees

The Players

Pitch Team Members

Approximately twenty-seven producer teams and their projects will be chosen by the Hot Docs Forum Selection Committee to pitch at the 2013 Hot Docs Forum. In the weeks leading up to the pitch they will undergo rigorous training, consultancy and support with the Hot Docs Forum team and expert partners such as the European Documentary Network and Films Transit.

Trigger Financier

Projects in the Regular Hot Docs Forum pitch program must have a ‘Trigger Financier’ attached. The Trigger Financer can be a broadcaster, distributor, foundation, fund, charity or other legitimate documentary market partner who illustrates a confirmed interest in the project and has contributed financially to the budget.

Decision-Makers

Decision-makers attending the Hot Docs Forum are offered a curated slate of projects in development or production and created by elite international filmmakers. Decision-makers can be (but are not limited to) broadcaster commissioning and acquisitions executives, distributors, sales agents, film festival programmers, foundations, associations, funds, charities, agencies, brands, platforms, interactive executives and other production partners.

Registered Delegates

The All-Access Pass provides access to the Hot Docs Forum, a unique opportunity for delegates to observe international independent producers and stakeholders as they present their projects live to a panel full of the world’s key documentary buyers. Whether you are a buyer or a content provider, the Hot Docs Forum is an invaluable source of international market intelligence.
More information on the All-Access Pass

Hot Docs Forum Action

Seven minute pitch…eight minute feedback…endless potential.

Approximately twenty seven projects will be accepted to the Hot Docs Forum, either as part of the Hot Docs Forum Pitch Program, for which a market partner must be attached, or as part of the Hot Docs Forum rough cut program, for which a significant percentage must be shot but which does not yet have a market partner.

Successful submissions are likely to have well a developed treatment, distribution, engagement and cross platform strategies.

Each presentation slot is 15 minutes, consisting of a seven-minute presentation from the production team and their trigger decision-maker, and a seven minute discussion and response period. Presentation teams are encouraged to include one or two-minute video clips as part of their presentation.

Two moderators, acting on behalf of the producer, lead and focus the discussions, bringing financing and valuable feedback to the production team.

Entertainment One Mounties’ Hat Pitch for Hot Docs Forum Delegates

If you didn’t get picked to pitch this is your opportunity to have a crack at it.

One scheduled “Mounties’ Hat” presentation slot is available to accredited Hot Docs Forum delegates. Interested delegates may put their business cards in the hat, which sits on the moderators’ table. A card is selected early in the day before the presentation slot and the selected delegate has an opportunity to present his/her idea to the attending international buyers. The selected delegate must report immediately to the moderators to show their pass and claim their presentation slot, otherwise another card will be selected.

For reference only, below is the 2013 Hot Docs Forum schedule.

Hot Docs Forum 2013 Schedule

Wednesday

9:00 am to 9:20 am - Opening Remarks and Welcome
9:20 am to 10:40 am - Four pitches
10:40 am to 11:20 am - Coffee Break
11:20 am to 12:40 pm - Four pitches
12:40 pm to 2:00 pm - Lunch
2:00 pm to 2:40 pm - Two pitches
2:40 pm to 3:30 pm – Close Up with…Sessions & Deal Maker Meetings
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm – Networking Break
4:00 pm to 5:15 pm - Close Up with…Sessions & Deal Maker Meetings

Thursday

9:00 am to 10:20 am - Four pitches
10:20 am to 11:00 am - Coffee Break
11:00 am to 12:20 pm - Four pitches
12:25 pm to 2:00 pm - Lunch
2:00 pm to 2:40 pm - Two pitches
2:40 pm to 3:30 pm – Close Up With… Sessions & Deal Maker Meetings
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm - Hot Docs Forum Closing reception