Just over a month before this year’s Hot Docs festival, the board of directors has announced the apponitment of a new executive director. Diana Sanchez will take over as executive director on March 31 from the interim ED Janice Dawe.
Sanchez is a former senior director of film and international programmer at the Toronto International Film Festival. She previously held positions with the Miami Film Festival, Rotterdam Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF).
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Hot Docs team at such a pivotal moment,” Sanchez said in a news release. “Storytelling has the power to rediscover, reimagine, and bring fresh perspectives to the world around us. In that same spirit, Hot Docs is stepping into an exciting new chapter—one of growth, transformation and renewed vision.”
Sanchez has a master’s of arts in cinema studies from the University of Toronto.
She will assume the position after a tumultuous year for the organization. The president, former ABC News senior vice president Marie Nelson, left last July. That followed the resignations of former artistic director Hussein Currimnbhoy as well as 10 programmers, who issued a statement alleging a “toxic workplace”.
In the March 20 news release, the organization stated that Sanchez’s appointment “marks a renewed commitment to Hot Docs’ mission—to amplify powerful documentary storytelling, serve audiences with bold and diverse programming and support filmmakers at all stages of their careers”.
“Diana brings passion, vast experience in the industry, and an unwavering commitment to the power that film has to bring people together and effect positive change,” board co-chair Nicholas de Pencier said in the news release. “We look forward to her vital contribution in reshaping Hot Docs’ future, strengthening our Festival and Cinema, and continuing to champion filmmakers in Canada and beyond.”
Event details
Hot Docs Festival 2025 runs from April 24 to May 4 in Toronto. For more information, visit the website.
