Hot Docs has announced that its president, Marie Nelson, is stepping down after just one year at the helm of the struggling documentary film festival.
Hot Docs says it is proud of the work accomplished under Nelson’s presidency and the organization is looking to “chart a new path forward” with a new interim executive director at the helm.
Financial uncertainty forced Canada’s largest documentary film festival to temporarily close its flagship Toronto cinema in May and lay off staff for about three months.
Hot Docs says it is facing a substantial operating deficit due to the slow post-pandemic recovery, even though the 31e The festival, which ended in early May, was considered a success.
Earlier this year, Nelson sent a series of emails to the public asking for financial support and warning that this year’s Hot Docs festival could be its last.
There was also a staff exodus just before the 2024 schedule was announced, with workers citing a “toxic workplace”.