Despite tough economic times and shrinking broadcast budgets, some Hot Docs participants managed to attract interest and cash, reports
Variety. The international film fest wrapped up May 6. Although film lovers flock to Hot Docs, it's also an important festival for filmmakers.
"Last week's Hot Docs Forum, the two-day pitch event and market centerpiece, saw a roster of international decision-makers at the round table."
"But if Hot Docs auds—tracking to hit 160,000 and a 10% increase in box office, according to organizers—demonstrate the public's hunger for engaging feature docus, today's economic realities and diminishing broadcast windows and license fees mean the Forum, like similar events, is more about starting or furthering negotiations, as opposed to signing checks."
"Nevertheless, a couple of Forum projects secured cash."
"
Shadow Girl, Chilean-Canadian filmmaker Maria Teresa Larrain's exploration of blindness via her own experience, nabbed the $40,000 Shaw Media-Hot Docs Forum pitch prize. Polish helmer Hanna Polak won the Cuban Hat award ($1,690 donated by Forum attendees this year) for best pitch for
Svalka: Yula's Journey, which follows 11 years in the life of a young girl who lives in a Moscow garbage dump."
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Original source: Variety