 Hi, art lovers! | | |  | Still from Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance. The Canadian documentary was the opening film at the 2025 Hot Docs Festival. (Hot Docs) | | | Between financial woes and staff upheaval, the Hot Docs Festival has been through the wringer lately. But despite the challenges, it keeps on keeping on — and this year’s edition is underway in Toronto. The schedule is looking leaner than usual, but it’s an overwhelming offering nonetheless. More than 100 movies will screen at the fest, which is considered the largest of its kind in North America. And before the proceedings wrap next Sunday, we’ll be publishing first-person essays by Canadian filmmakers on the program. Yes, that’s right — Cutaways is back. And the first director we’ve heard from is Winnipeg’s Noam Gonick, whose feature, Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance, opened Hot Docs Thursday night. The film traces the rise of Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ movement, and he told us how he brought that transformative history to life. Also online: an essay by Denis Côté, who learned a lesson in happiness while making his film, Paul. More essays will follow this week, so be sure to watch for that.
What else is getting buzz at Hot Docs? CBC News has prepared a list of viewing recos (plus info on where those films will be appearing after the festival). And we’ve got our own take on what looks good. I’ve linked to CBC Arts staff picks further down in the newsletter. (Skip to You’ve Got to See This.) | | | | | Because we promised you eye candy ... | | | | |  | Artwork: Marin Majić; Photo: Andrew Romer | | Faster Louder by Marin Majić, whose first solo exhibition in Canada opened yesterday at CICA Vancouver. | | | | |  | Maru Aponte | | If this image doesn’t stop you mid-scroll, I don’t know what would. Those colours. So juicy! The piece (Luna Moth) is a watercolour and gouache painting by Maru Aponte, who’s the artist-in-residence at the Art Gallery of Ontario. But you’ll find this painting elsewhere in Toronto. She has a solo show at Towards until May 10. | | | | |  | Artwork: Emmanuel Osahor; Photo: CBC Arts | | Itching to get out of the house, but don’t have a destination in mind? Dozens of public institutions, artist-run centres and commercial galleries will be opening their doors May 1-4 for the second annual Canadian Art Hop. Of course, a lot of these places are free to visit any time of year — but I like having an excuse to go exploring, don’t you? Select venues will be hosting special programming; listings are on the Art Hop’s website, where you’ll also find maps for planning a self-guided tour. In Toronto, the Power Plant is featured on the Art Hop map. The gallery recently opened a new season of exhibitions, including Emmanuel Osahor’s deliciously immersive show, To Dream of Other Places (pictured). | | | | |  | Hot Docs | | | | | The documentary film festival is on through May 4 in Toronto, and we can’t wait to see these movies. | | | | |  | Peter von Tiesenhausen | | | | | What began as an outdoor art project has become the defining work of Peter von Tiesenhausen’s career. Nearly as long as an NFL football field, it strikes fear in the hearts of pipeline developers. | | | | |  | Richard Comely/Lev Gleason | | | | | | | I'm not talking about Wolverine or Superman. Remember Captain Canuck? Fifty years since the character hit newsstands, he’s ready for a comeback. | | |  | Gordon Shadrach | | Gordon recently dropped by Q to discuss his recent exhibition, The Earth Is Always Shifting, the Light Is Always Changing. The new paintings were inspired by his experience with cancer and recovery. | | | | | Share this newsletter | | or subscribe if this was
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I’m Leah Collins, senior writer at CBC Arts. Until next time! | | | | | |
