FEATURING ROBERT LIPSYTE, STEFAN SAGMEISTER, TONY ROBBINS, AND MORE
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Hot Docs is pleased to announce the fifth edition of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series. This series offers audiences the opportunity to experience six thought-provoking documentaries and then hear, first-hand, from the notable subjects and experts on the issues featured in the films. The Scotiabank Big Ideas Series will take place during this year’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, running April 28 to May 8.
This year’s Scotiabank Big Ideas Series documentaries encompass such issues as the intersections of race, celebrity and justice, women’s rights and education, and the pursuit of success and happiness. The Series will welcome director Ezra Edelman and American sports journalist Robert Lipsyte from O.J. Simpson: Made in America; director Tiffany Hsiung, Director of Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Slavery Meehyang Yoon and Gil Won-Ok, subject of The Apology; co-director Ben Nabors, psychotherapist Sheenah Hankin and renowned graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister, subject of The Happy Film; director Beth Murphy and Zabuli Education Center founder Razia Jan, subject of What Tomorrow Brings; producer Sam Tabet, director Deborah S. Esquenazi, Director of the Innocence Project of Texas Mike Ware and the San Antonio Four, subjects of Southwest Of Salem: The Story Of The San Antonio Four; and director Joe Berlinger and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, subject of Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru.
“This year’s Scotiabank Big Ideas Series explores pressing themes: social justice, personal wellbeing, celebrity and women’s rights—they’re bridged by a remarkable collection of people who are newsmakers, activists, and change makers,” said Hot Docs executive director Brett Hendrie. “We’re excited to bring these great docs and special guests together for lively and compelling conversations.”
“Scotiabank is proud to support the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival again this year as the sponsor of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series,” said Clinton Braganza, Senior Vice President, Canadian Marketing at Scotiabank. “At Scotiabank, we believe that the arts enrich our communities and encourage us to develop new perspectives. As the sponsor of the Big Ideas Series at North America’s largest documentary film festival, we are proud to provide audiences the chance to experience thought-provoking documentaries on a range of topics, and to encourage the sharing of diverse views on social issues which inspire us to follow our own passions.”
The Scotiabank Big Ideas Series screening times and film descriptions appear below.
O.J. SIMPSON: MADE IN AMERICA
Featuring former New York Times sports columnist and former ESPN Ombudsman Robert Lipsyte, director Ezra Edelman and a special guest
D: Ezra Edelman | USA | 2016 | 90 min | International Premiere
Dig into unseen aspects of the “trial of the century” with sports journalist Robert Lipsyte who was very close to the case, director Ezra Edelman and a special guest, in conjunction with O.J. Simpson: Made in America.
FRIDAY, APRIL 29 6:30 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
THE APOLOGY
Featuring Gil Won-Ok (Grandma Gil), Director of Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Slavery Meehyang Yoon and director Tiffany Hsiung
D: Tiffany Hsiung | Canada | 2016 | 105 min | World Premiere
Expose the prevalence of sexual violence as a weapon of war in this conversation with three dedicated women from The Apology who are forcefully fighting Japan’s government for recognition of its enslavement of women in WWII.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30 6:30 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
THE HAPPY FILM
Featuring Stefan Sagmeister, psychotherapist Sheenah Hankin and co-director Ben Nabors
D: Hillman Curtis, Ben Nabors, Stefan Sagmeister | USA | 2016 | 92 min | International Premiere
Take part in a live and interactive group therapy session with renowned graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister, who will share advice based on his self-improvement quest in The Happy Film.
SUNDAY, MAY 1 6:30 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS
Featuring Zabuli Education Center founder Razia Jan and director Beth Murphy
D: Beth Murphy | USA | 2016 | 89 min | World Premiere
Meet the inspirational Razia Jan as she shares her incredible story of opening and running the first school for girls in a small Afghanistan village, as chronicled in What Tomorrow Brings, with director Beth Murphy.
TUESDAY, MAY 3 6:30 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
SOUTHWEST OF SALEM: THE STORY OF THE SAN ANTONIO FOUR
Featuring the San Antonio Four: Elizabeth Ramirez, Anna Vasquez, Cassandra Rivera and Kristie Mayhugh; Mike Ware, Director of the Innocence Project of Texas; producer Sam Tabet and director Deborah S. Esquenazi
D: Deborah S. Esquenazi | USA | 2016 | 89 min | International Premiere
Join four heroic women who were wrongfully sentenced to 15-37.5 years in prison and their indefatigable lawyer, subjects of Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four, as they discuss a justice system in crisis.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 6:30 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
TONY ROBBINS: I AM NOT YOUR GURU
Featuring Tony Robbins and director Joe Berlinger
D: Joe Berlinger | USA | 2016 | 115 min | International Premiere
Get inspired by best-selling self-help author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins and director Joe Berlinger as they discuss Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru and the science of helping people “unleash the power within.”
SUNDAY, MAY 8 6:00 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
A leader in the promotion of arts, creativity and community involvement, Scotiabank’s generosity will, in addition to supporting the Big Ideas Series, continue to ensure the ongoing growth and vitality of Hot Docs’ volunteer program.
Additional support by the Government of Canada.
