Post-pandemic economic woes mean the Bloor needs your help

By Brian Burchell

After having some record attendance of 225,000 visitors in 2019, the Hot Docs/Ted Rogers Bloor Cinema is now enduring a post-pandemic hangover, and is urgently seeking financial support to keep going.

In a release in March, Hot Docs President Marie Nelson reports that the “pandemic closure severely disrupted Hot Docs operations and its impacts are still being felt. We are currently facing a significant operational deficit that threatens our long-term sustainability.”

For more than 30 years Hot Docs has advanced the art of the documentary and has become Canada’s preeminent documentary film institution attracting global attention. 

While audiences post-pandemic have started to return the pace of that return is not commensurate with the cost of operations. 

While steps have been taken to reduce overheads, Nelson reports “we are quickly losing runway and urgently need direct support to our ensure our future viability.”

Though they have reached out to all levels of government for help, the organization is pleading directly with its patrons to buy a ticket package to this year’s Festival which is exhibited April 25-May 5. 

In addition they are asking film goers to become a members to enjoy benefits year round. They have are offering a 25 per cent discount to new members by using a promotional code HDFest24Promo through their website www.hotdocs.ca.

READ MORE:

• CHATTER: 30 years of Hot Docs Cinema (April 2023)
• NEWS: A permanent home for storytelling (July 2016)
• NEWS: Bloor Cinema reopens to the public (March 2012)
• ARTS: The latest premiere: Bloor Cinema opens new era with documentary theme (September 2011)