Another round of changes is taking shape at Hot Docs, as the beleaguered Toronto institution works to further stabilize its finances and re-establish itself as a leading stop on the international documentary festival circuit.
The not-for-profit arts organization announced Wednesday that Argentine-Canadian documentary veteran Mara Gourd-Mercado is joining as executive director, while Diana Sanchez will move from that role to become president.
The decision effectively splits Sanchez’s current job in two, a restructuring she tells the Star will offer a clearer leadership structure as the organization continues to recover from the financial crisis that nearly sank it three years ago. Hot Docs has since cut costs, reduced its workforce and overhauled its board as it works to put its finances and operations on firmer footing.
Sanchez said her job will focus primarily on long-term strategy, including government relations, artistic oversight and major financial partnerships. Gourd-Mercado, who starts Oct. 19, will handle day-to-day operations and fiscal management, as well as growing the festival’s industry programming.
The restructuring also led to four operational job cuts at Hot Docs’ year-round cinema on Bloor Street, a decision Sanchez said consolidates some longtime roles.
“We want to be one of the most relevant stops on the international documentary festival circuit,” Sanchez told the Star.
“But we’re still early days,” she adds. “We’re setting up the structure right now so that we can achieve more of those goals.”
Gourd-Mercado previously served as executive director of the Montreal International Documentary Festival, where she is credited with doubling organization’s operational budget during her tenure from 2015 to 2020.
She moved to Copenhagen three years ago to lead industry and training at CPH:DOX, one of Europe’s major documentary festivals, where she oversaw programs connecting filmmakers with industry professionals and potential financiers.
“I geek out on workflows, structure and organization,” Gourd-Mercado said.
“By having that in another person, it gives way more space for Diana to go out there and make sure that she continues stabilizing the organization.”
Hot Docs is showing some early signs of improvement.
After the festival wrapped in May, the organization reported that single-ticket revenue had increased 14 per cent from the previous year, while overall attendance was up three per cent.
Hot Docs also pointed to the return of the Hot Docs Forum, which went on hiatus for the 2025 festival, and a new programming partnership with Soulpepper Theatre as signs of progress.
