Hot Docs has paused its annual Forum for the 2025 edition of the festival.

The decision to pause the Hot Docs Forum —  an international co-financing market for documentaries — was announced as part of a larger release from Hot Docs which included the dates for the upcoming Industry Conference and Market, held during Hot Docs’ annual festival.

According to the release, pausing the Hot Docs Forum allows the organization to support its stabilization efforts and allow Hot Docs “to refine and enhance future industry offerings while also reimaging the forum for 2026.”

In a typical year, the Hot Docs Forum would see pre-selected projects pitched for coproduction financing to a group of international investors. The selected participants in the forum would also compete for awards. This year’s Hot Docs Forum saw more than $47,000 in prizes awarded to four pitch teams.

Along with pausing the forum, Hot Docs also noted that it has “recalibrated its industry activities in response to recent challenges faced by the organization and industry-wide obstacles affecting filmmakers and delegates.”

In October, Hot Docs announced that it would be looking for a new owner for Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema as part of the organization’s stabilization efforts. Prior to that, Hot Docs had faced a plethora of issues including a significant financial deficit; the exodus of 10 programmers along with Hot Docs then artistic director, Hussain Currimbhoy; the departure of former president Marie Nelson and the temporary closure of Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.

“We are committed to showcasing extraordinary storytelling and creating a welcoming space for film business development and industry connections,” said Hot Docs’ industry programs director Elizabeth Radshaw in a statement. “Our 2025 Industry Conference and Market is designed to be an intimate yet impactful gathering where diverse filmmakers of all career stages are supported, and emerging voices are uplifted. From networking with industry leaders to collaborative learning, we’re building a vibrant community for authentic connections and meaningful exchanges in the documentary space.”

The Industry Conference and Market will run for three days beginning on April 28, and will expand the Works-in-Progress screening series, which will highlight 20 films from Canada and around the world. The organization also noted the Hot Docs Deal Maker program is returning from 2024’s festival. The program facilitates pitch meetings between producers and international funders, distributors and sales agents.

Five mid-career Canadian film teams are also set to exhibit their works-in-progress at the conference through the Hot Docs Incubator. The chosen projects were originally selected for funding in July 2024, prior to confirmation that Netflix had pulled funding in September.

Submissions for both Works-in-Progress and Hot Docs Deal Maker open Nov. 20.

Image courtesy of Hot Docs