Hot Docs to Showcase Crowd-Funded Docs

TORONTO: Hot Docs has launched a curated page on Kickstarter that showcases the crowd-funding campaigns of select pitch projects from the upcoming 12th annual Hot Docs Forum. 

Kickstarter is the world’s largest online funding platform for creative projects. “Of the many sources filmmakers must tap to get documentaries made, crowd-funding offers multiple benefits such as audience building, engagement and financial support,” said Elizabeth Radshaw, Hot Docs’ forum and market director. “Kickstarter is charging the path of this growing movement and we’re happy to be collaborating with them to support Hot Docs Forum pitch project campaigns. It is a very exciting way to engage audiences in the making of documentary films.”

Hot Docs Forum pitch projects currently showcased on Kickstarter include A Fierce Green Fire (U.S.A.), When Two Worlds Collide (Peru), Within Every Woman (Canada) and Uranium Drive-In (U.S.A.).

The Hot Docs international co-financing pitch forum and market is to take place May 4 and 5. A roundtable and gallery of some 200 international broadcasters, foundations and other funders will be considering financing these projects during the forum. Hot Docs will be using its social media networks and onsite promotion to encourage the public audience of more than 130,000 to also pledge their support for these projects via Kickstarter. At the end of these initial campaigns, Hot Docs will invite the projects with active Kickstarter campaigns to be featured on its curated page.