News

Hot Docs, in collaboration with the R&M Lang Foundation revealed today the recipients of $15,000 CAD in production funds. This funding, allocated from the CrossCurrents International Doc Fund Short/Experimental/Interactive strand, is designed to bolster emerging filmmakers crafting documentaries within communities whose perspectives have been historically overlooked or marginalized. The two selected films are Everything I Am Not (D: Laura Dauden I Spain) and The Last Shaman (D: Susy Peña I Venezuela).

"These two projects by remarkable female filmmakers from Latin America stand as poignant testaments to resilience and courage,” said Heidi Tao Yang, Hot Docs’ Director of Funds & Labs. “Both narratives— though distinct—share a common thread of unyielding strength in the face of adversity, showcasing the indomitable spirit of these filmmakers and the rich tapestry of stories emerging from Latin America.”

“The R&M Lang Foundation is proud to champion powerful storytelling from around the world through our continued support of the Hot Docs CrossCurrents International Doc Fund Short/Experimental/Interactive strand,” shared Robert Lang, President and Producer at Kensington Communications. “There were many strong applicants this year, representing rich and diverse perspectives. We hope, through the support of these two short documentaries in collaboration with Hot Docs, to foster inclusivity and broader representation within documentary filmmaking.”

Established in November of 2013 by the R&M Lang Foundation, the CrossCurrents International Doc Fund has since provided a total of $110,000 CAD in grants to support 13 international short, experimental or interactive doc projects from 10 countries.

49 shortlisted projects from 21 countries were considered by the CrossCurrents International Doc Fund Committee, which included: Robert Lang (president and executive producer, Kensington Communications), Asia Youngman (filmmaker, Visceral Village Productions), and Hot Docs Industry (Winnie Wang, Industry Coordinator).

EVERYTHING I AM NOT
Director: Laura Dauden
Producer: Laura Dauden, Miguel Angel Herrera
Production company: Forward Films
Country: Spain
After facing false accusations of terrorism, enduring imprisonment, and escaping into exile, a Colombian lawyer and activist delves into her memoirs to expose the corruption and brutality of her nation's judicial system.

THE LAST SHAMAN
Director: Susy Peña
Producer: Patricia Mata
Production company: Gato Negro Media
Country: Venezuela
When Rufino, the shaman of a remote indigenous community in Venezuela, leads his people on a pilgrimage into the deep jungle, they must confront the encroachment of modernity, the pressures of Christianization, and the devastating allure of illegal mining.