Heather Haynes named Director of Programming at Canada’s Hot Docs Festival
Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival, has appointed Heather Haynes as its new Director of Programming. With a career spanning 19 years at Hot Docs, Haynes steps into this expanded role, which includes overseeing programming for the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Toronto’s Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, and the national educational initiative Docs for Schools.
Haynes’ appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization. During her tenure, she has been a pivotal figure in shaping Hot Docs’ programming and fostering the growth of documentary filmmakers worldwide. Known for her thoughtful leadership, she has collaborated with filmmakers globally and played key roles in initiatives such as work-in-progress labs, juries, and mentorship programs.
Janice Dawe, Interim Executive Director of Hot Docs, expressed confidence in Haynes’ leadership, stating, “Heather has been a vital part of the Hot Docs family and a tireless champion of documentary filmmakers and their stories. Her commitment to bringing powerful, thought-provoking documentaries to our audiences ensures that Hot Docs will continue its mission of showcasing real-life stories that cultivate empathy and critical thought.”
Haynes shared her excitement about the new role, highlighting the resilience and dedication of the Hot Docs team, especially during recent challenges. “We are steadfast in our commitment to re-stabilize and secure a future where we continue to support Canadian and international filmmakers, strengthen the documentary industry, and serve our audiences with passion and excellence,” she said.
The 32nd annual Hot Docs Festival will take place from April 24 to May 4, 2025, in Toronto. This edition will feature over 100 documentaries, offering diverse stories from both Canadian and international creators. Haynes will lead a programming team that blends long-standing expertise with fresh perspectives to curate a compelling festival experience.
The 2025 programming team includes Festival Programming Manager Kristin Boivin, Senior International Features Programmers Gabor Pertic and Lucila Moctezuma, and International Features Programmers Gugi Gumilang and Vicci Ho. Canadian programming is led by Senior Canadian Programmer Alex Rogalski and Canadian Programmer Aisha Jamal. The lineup also includes new team members such as Kinga Binkowska, Julian Carrington, Lauren Clarke, and David Knipe as International Features Programmers, among others.