Hot Docs has unveiled the inaugural projects to receive co-financing through the Hot Docs Partners initiative.

The $2.6 million financing initiative, launched last May, is aimed at connecting investors with Canadian and international feature-length documentary productions seeking financing.

The first projects to receive financing from the nascent initiative include Richard Poplak and Diana Neille’s Influence (pictured) and Ariel Nasr’s We Are Here.

Produced by Eyesteelfilm and South Africa’s Fireworx Media and Chronicle Productions, Influence serves as an investigative film that peels the curtain back on the architects behind the “democracy industrial complex” and geopolitical spin-doctoring.

We Are Here, meanwhile, is a CBC and Canal D documentary from Loaded Pictures. The film, produced by Sergeo Kirby, explores the aftereffects of the 2017 Quebec City mosque mass shooting on the local community. Six worshippers were killed and 19 others injured when a man opened fire shortly after the mosque had ended evening prayers. The film is also supported by SODEC and the Canada Media Fund.

Toronto’s Blue Ice Docs, the lead investor, has pledged to match investments made by other partners on a project-by-project basis.

The Hot Docs’ industry team, led by industry programs director Elizabeth Radshaw, recommends projects to Hot Docs Partners financiers based on their specific investment priorities. Hot Docs then works with filmmakers to support successful film completion, release and distribution.

From Realscreen