about citizen minutes

These short doc collections, commissioned by Hot Docs, showcase ordinary Canadians making extraordinary impacts in their communities.

Our mission: inspire engagement in Canadian democracy by celebrating stories of civic participation across the country.

this is civic engagement.

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it's time to take action on issues that matter. WHAT’S YOUR CITIZEN MINUTE?

ordinary canadians. extraordinary impact.

Meet the fearless changemakers shaping our communities.

Series 3

Films (index)
Becoming Ruby

Becoming Ruby

Follow Ruby Chopstix, Canada’s first drag artist-in-residence, as they navigate the complexity of being an underrepresented drag performer while creating a special showcase to create space for other queer BIPOC performers.

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Crossing the Divide

Crossing the Divide

Two Canadians, one Liberal and one Conservative, attend a U.S. convention focused on depolarizing politics, determined to engage in tough conversations for a healthier democracy.

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La femme équi-LIBRE

La femme équi-LIBRE

In Prince Edward Island, Josée Gallant Gordon is reinventing mental health care through her bilingual equine therapy centre, proving that with ideas, one person can transform their community.

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Hommes-Relais

Hommes-Relais

Amid migration grief and integration challenges, Manuel, a former doctor turned community leader, guides immigrant men through a life-changing program, forging resilience, belonging, solidarity, and hope.

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Red Girl Rising

Red Girl Rising

Joyce Jonathan Crone—Mohawk matriarch, retired teacher, activist, Humanitarian—reaches forward into her community of Huntsville, Ontario, opening hearts and bridging gaps for Indigenous education.

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A Stop Gap Measure

A Stop Gap Measure

When temporary solutions become the status quo, who gets left behind? A Stop Gap Measure follows disability activist Luke Anderson on his fight for accessibility to be a right, not a privilege.

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Series 2

Films (index)
Ancestral Threads

Ancestral Threads

Follow designer Joleen Mitton on her mission to use fashion as medicine for Vancouver’s Indigenous community.

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Do You Hear What I Hear?

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Fed up with sleepless nights, a couple of activists fight to change Toronto’s outdated noise bylaws.

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Janelle Niles: Inconvenient

Janelle Niles: Inconvenient

Janelle embraces her biracial experience and queer identity, using stand-up to usher in a new era of inclusive, Canadian comedy.

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Loud & Here

Loud & Here

With too many cases of sexual violence going unreported or unpunished, 23 teen girls decide to change policy affecting school boards across Quebec.

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Mind Check 1-2, 1-2

Mind Check 1-2, 1-2

Through his vulnerable art, rapper Akintoye inspires young people to use their voices to bring awareness to mental health struggles.

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Rising from the Ashes

Rising From the Ashes

Dépanneur Sylvestre in Gatineau, Quebec, reopens using new models of sustainability to stay relevant for another 20 years and beyond.

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Sisterhood Softball

Sisterhood Softball

Follow the first all female Muslim softball league in North America as they empower women through sports.

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Series 1

Films (index)
Body Politics

Body Politics

Educator, activist and politician Dr. Jill Andrew takes her fight for body justice, human rights, representation, access and equity to the legislature.

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Excluded by Design

Excluded by Design

Writer and activist Dave Meslin shares his vision for a democracy where citizens feel invited and empowered to engage.

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The Gift

The Gift

A lesson in compassion and generosity results in a lifelong gift as a father passes on important teachings to his daughter.

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Jean Swanson: We Need a New Map

Jean Swanson: We Need a New Map

Vancouver city councillor Jean Swanson works alongside the next generation of anti-poverty activists fighting systemic inequality.

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Mending a Crack in the Sky

Mending a Crack in the Sky

Two Somali-Canadian mothers have organized a group to collectively combat gun violence and hardship while facing cultural and racial barriers.

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Militant Mother

Militant Mother

In 1971, after months of advocating for a safe crossing, twenty-five mothers made their voices heard by blockading CN rail from delivering goods.

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Nourrir les Rêves

Nourrir les Rêves

Meet Paul Evra, the young altruistic director of Lasallien Center who is leading the center and their mission to help feed the numerous families in the area who are food insecure.

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Ride Fair

Ride Fair

Three fearless community organizers embark on an uphill political fight to regulate Uber and Lyft in Toronto.

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12,500+

Attendees at Citizen Minutes Screening Events

10,000+

Streams on Hot Docs @ Home

24,000+

Student Views via Docs for Schools Program

30+

Official hosts and screening partners involved

90+

Film Festival selections

45+

Guest Panelists and Community Leaders engaged

Host a Screening

Explore our resources and bring the series to your school or community!

  • “I think there is a little bit of all of us in these documentary shorts. I feel that even if they didn't pertain to us, it helped us see ourselves in others and cheer them on to change.”

  • “What makes these films so relevant and powerful is that it is easy to see yourself in them - whether it is in a supporting or more active role.”

  • "The power of our voices cannot be denied. The most powerful solutions arise when we come together to support each other."

  • "It is inspiring to see the difference one can make in others' lives with the courage to speak up and participate."

  • “I think we, the young people today, need preparedness, coalition-building, imagination, experiments, bravery…In an unpredictable age, these are tremendous sources of resilience and strength.”

Take our Impact survey

We want to learn more about how the films made an impact. Please take a moment to fill out our Audience Impact Survey.