Latest news with #HotDocs
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Debbie Nightingale, Hot Docs Festival Co-Founder, Dies at 71
Debbie Nightingale, a co-founder of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, which eventually became the largest documentary event in North America, died July 10 after a bout with cancer. She was 71. 'Every part of the Hot Docs we know today grew from what Debbie helped establish,' execs at the Toronto-based festival said in a statement. 'She recognized the importance of documentary filmmaking and providing a place where filmmakers, funders and audiences could connect. Without her, we wouldn't be here. Her legacy will be forever felt, and she will be truly missed.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Three Six Zero Names Aimee Jessiman U.K. Head of Management Locarno Director on 'Dracula,' Jackie Chan and Hosting a Film Festival With the World "in Flames" Connie Francis, 'Where the Boys Are' Singer and Actress, Dies at 87 Nightingale and veteran documentary maker Paul Jay in 1993 launched a documentary showcase that would eventually become Hot Docs. She helped raise the initial $100,000 to get the festival off the ground and served as its first festival manager and later as executive director. Born in Toronto on Oct. 14, 1953, Nightingale had been producing the Trade Forum at the Festival of Festivals, the forerunner of the Toronto International Film Festival, when Jay urged her to explore the launch of a documentary showcase for the Canadian Independent Film Caucus, today known as the Documentary Organization of Canada. 'It was because of her involvement, on spec, that the festival flew,' Jay told the POV Magazine in a 2007 interview. Nightingale went on to become a prolific film and TV producer, with such credits as the TV series Living in Your Car, the hockey movie Chicks With Sticks and the animal adventure comedy Bailey's Billion$, which starred Jennifer Tilly and Dean Cain. She eventually left the Canadian film and TV industry to run the Haute Goat Farm as a farmer. 'Debbie was not only the founder but the true heart and soul of Haute Goat — a dreamer, a doer and an inspiration to all who crossed her path. Her love for animals, people and the land was the magic behind every visit, every experience and every smile on the farm,' the Facebook page for the farm in Port Hope, Ontario, wrote in remembrance. Nightingale is survived by her husband, Shain Jaffe, a retired literary agent, and her children, Sarah, Leland and Noah. The family asks that donations in her memory be made to the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Hot Docs film festival co-founder Debbie Nightingale dies
Hot Docs film festival co-founder Debbie Nightingale, seen in this undated handout photo, has died at 71. The organization confirmed her passing this week. An obituary says the veteran Toronto film producer died of cancer on July 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - The Nightingale family (Mandatory Credit) Hot Docs film festival co-founder Debbie Nightingale has died at 71. The organization says the veteran Toronto film producer died on July 10. Her obituary says she fought cancer with the 'fierce determination' she had brought to all other aspects of her life. In 1993, Nightingale teamed up with veteran documentary filmmaker Paul Jay to launch a showcase that would evolve into Hot Docs, Canada's largest documentary film festival. She helped raise the initial $100,000 that got the organization off the ground and served as its first festival manager and later as executive director. She also produced several films, TV shows and documentaries, including 2004 hockey dramedy 'Chicks with Sticks' and 2010's series 'Living in Your Car,' a darkly comic look at corporate downfall. Hot Docs said in a statement that Nightingale 'recognized the importance of documentary filmmaking' and provided 'a place where filmmakers, funders and audiences could connect.' Her obituary notes that she also operated Haute Goat Farm, a 200-acre property in Port Hope, Ont. 'Debbie was not only the founder but the true heart and soul of Haute Goat — a dreamer, a doer, and an inspiration to all who crossed her path,' said a statement on the farm's Facebook page. 'Her love for animals, people, and the land was the magic behind every visit, every experience, and every smile on the farm.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025. Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Hot Docs film festival co-founder Debbie Nightingale dies
Hot Docs film festival co-founder Debbie Nightingale has died at 71. The organization says the veteran Toronto film producer died on July 10. Her obituary says she fought cancer with the 'fierce determination' she had brought to all other aspects of her life. In 1993, Nightingale teamed up with veteran documentary filmmaker Paul Jay to launch a showcase that would evolve into Hot Docs, Canada's largest documentary film festival. She helped raise the initial $100,000 that got the organization off the ground and served as its first festival manager and later as executive director. She also produced several films, TV shows and documentaries, including 2004 hockey dramedy 'Chicks with Sticks' and 2010's series 'Living in Your Car,' a darkly comic look at corporate downfall. Hot Docs said in a statement that Nightingale 'recognized the importance of documentary filmmaking' and provided 'a place where filmmakers, funders and audiences could connect.' Her obituary notes that she also operated Haute Goat Farm, a 200-acre property in Port Hope, Ont. 'Debbie was not only the founder but the true heart and soul of Haute Goat — a dreamer, a doer, and an inspiration to all who crossed her path,' said a statement on the farm's Facebook page. 'Her love for animals, people, and the land was the magic behind every visit, every experience, and every smile on the farm.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hot Docs film festival co-founder Debbie Nightingale dies
Hot Docs film festival co-founder Debbie Nightingale has died at 71. The organization says the veteran Toronto film producer died on July 10. Her obituary says she fought cancer with the 'fierce determination' she had brought to all other aspects of her life. In 1993, Nightingale teamed up with veteran documentary filmmaker Paul Jay to launch a showcase that would evolve into Hot Docs, Canada's largest documentary film festival. She helped raise the initial $100,000 that got the organization off the ground and served as its first festival manager and later as executive director. She also produced several films, TV shows and documentaries, including 2004 hockey dramedy 'Chicks with Sticks' and 2010's series 'Living in Your Car,' a darkly comic look at corporate downfall. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. Hot Docs said in a statement that Nightingale 'recognized the importance of documentary filmmaking' and provided 'a place where filmmakers, funders and audiences could connect.' Her obituary notes that she also operated Haute Goat Farm, a 200-acre property in Port Hope, Ont. 'Debbie was not only the founder but the true heart and soul of Haute Goat — a dreamer, a doer, and an inspiration to all who crossed her path,' said a statement on the farm's Facebook page. 'Her love for animals, people, and the land was the magic behind every visit, every experience, and every smile on the farm.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
Globe and Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Two veteran Hot Docs staff members step down as organization works to rebuild
Two veteran staff members of the Hot Docs film festival have left the beleaguered documentary organization. The festival confirmed Monday that director of programming Heather Haynes and director of industry programs Elizabeth Radshaw have both departed. Haynes, who was promoted last year, had been with Hot Docs for two decades, while Radshaw had led industry programs since 2009. A Hot Docs spokesperson said 'no decisions have been made as to how or by whom the positions will be filled,' but that recently appointed executive director Diana Sanchez will support the programming and industry teams. Hot Docs named Sanchez executive director in March, promising 'a period of rebuilding and reimagining.' She replaced interim executive director Janice Dawe, who stepped in when former president Marie Nelson resigned after just one year and as the organization grappled with financial difficulties. Hot Docs returns for 'exciting new chapter' after most tumultuous year in film festival's history Hot Docs to open with Noam Gonick's Queer Acts of Love and Resistance in scaled-back lineup In April, Hot Docs said it had accepted a conditional offer on its flagship theatre in Toronto, Ted Rogers Cinema, which was put up for sale last year. The organization said the deal was expected to conclude this summer after a process of 'due diligence.' Hot Docs says it will begin a 'strategic planning process' in the coming months, including a look at Haynes' and Radshaw's roles and a multi-year plan to guide the organization forward.
