The Hot Docs Film Festival 2017 Returns April 27

The Hot Docs Film Festival 2017 returns to Toronto from April 27, 2017 to May 7, 2017. You’ll be able to watch documentaries at Toronto venues including Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Aga Khan Museum, Brookfield Place, Sam Pollock Square, Isabel Bader Theatre, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fox Theatre. Hart House Theatre, Innis Town Hall, Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, The Revue, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto Centre for the Arts.

VIP Opening Night

The opening night festivities support Docs For Schools!, a program that provides free screenings and curriculum materials for teachers and students in grades 7-12 across Ontario.

The night begins with a VIP cocktail reception at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, followed by the opening night screening of Bee Nation. The night continues at the Royal Ontario Museum with cocktails, canapés and the celebration of documentary storytelling. Tickets for the opening night festivities are $150 (tax receipt for $100 will be issued).

Who is Arthur Chu?

I had a chance to preview Who is Arthur Chu?, one of the documentaries that will be shown at the Hot Doc Festival. This documentary focuses on Arthur Chu, the celebrated Jeopardy champion who was initially known for his aggressive gamesmanship. The film travels far from Chu’s Jeopardy fame to look at his roots as a first generation American, born to Taiwanese parents who discouraged him from consuming pop culture or watching TV. Chu’s controlling father exerted pressure on his son to obtain an education that would lead to a professional career in a country where his father told him: “You will never belong. This is not your country.” Chu decides to use his Jeopardy fame to voice his anger about the injustices in gender and race through writing and speaking engagements. In many ways, Chu, a self-described “nerd”, is a typical millennial who is unapologetic about living the life he wants to live right now as opposed to suffering in the present for a rewarding future. Who is Arthur Chu? is so much more than a look at Chu’s Jeopardy success: the film covers topical themes such as the struggles of the American immigrant, internet trolling, and violence against women in the gaming world, It’s a fascinating look at a man, bullied as a child, who is intent on improving conditions in the world. Who is Arthur Chu? will debut at Hot Docs Festival on April 28, 2017.

Rush Only Screenings

A rush line will form outside of the venue approximately one hour before a screening. Fifteen minutes before the screening, staff count empty seats and allow the corresponding number of patrons from the rush line to purchase tickets.

Tickets for Hot Docs Film Festival

Regular tickets for the Hot Docs Film Festival 2017 are $17; Premium tickets are $22-$24.

Seniors (60+) and students with valid ID can take advantage of free admission to films that start before 5 p.m. Pick up your tickets at the screening venue’s box office on the day of the screening, subject to availability.

CraveTV Hot Docs Box Office
605 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Email: boxoffice@hotdocs.ca
Phone: 416.637.5150