In The Seats with...

David Voigt

Where we sit down with industry professionals and talk about their latest projects, influences, the state of the industry and all things under the sun...

  1. 23h ago

    In The Seats With...Eric Veillette and 'Cinema City: Toronto'

    Anthropologically the 'movie theatre' means more to us then we even know....We're back in the saddle on this very special episode that takes a look at how important movie theatres actually are with the new Curious Minds series starting at the Hot Docs Red Rogers Cinema with 'Toronto: Cinema City'.Toronto's history can be told through its movie theatres. From bustling neighbourhood cinemas and Yonge Street grindhouses, experimental film co-ops, to the corporate rise of multiplex chains and decades of censorship battles, the city's screens have mirrored its cultural, social and political life. In Toronto: Cinema City, journalist and film historian Eric Veillette will lead us through a four-part journey through Toronto's exhibition history, uncovering the theatres, controversies, and communities that shaped how Torontonians have watched movies for 130 years. We got to sit down with Eric to talk about what got him so passionate about the topic and the real magic of the movie theatre having been able to work in them from a myriad of different jobs.  In talk to Eric we get just a sneak peak at the insight and the passion of understanding the importance of the movie theatre while understanding the vitality of a creative community,'Toronto: Cinema City' starts this June 6th and runs every Saturday at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema for the rest of the month.  You can find out more about the series right here.

    42 min

  2. May 17

    In The Seats With....Laura Nix and 'Democracy Under Siege'

    It really really is....On this episode we've got a special one with a documentary that dives into the cold realities of what's going on political with our neighbours to the south.  It's time for 'Democracy Under Siege'.It's the story of Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes as her sharp wit and insightful art come under fire as she examine the challenges confronting US democracy ahead of the 2024 presidential election.It's a film still looking for distribution south of the border, but 'Democracy Under Siege' is an incredibly relevant documentary as it really tries to encourage discussion about how the American democracy truly is under siege as attacks on satirists, cartoonist and others expressing opinions in contradiction to an increasingly authoritarian government are become more and more obvious by the day.We talked with Director Laura Nix about the origins of the film, the struggles to get it in seen in the current media landscape and almost a plea to not give up on America as it struggles through these issues.'Democracy Under Siege' is playing the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema here in Toronto on May 17th and 30th with a digital release soon to follow.

    28 min

  3. May 7

    In The Seats With....Valerio Zanoli, Donald Whitehead and 'Homeless'

    It's one of the scourges of the modern age...On this very special episode we dive into a new documentary that is streaming now on Tubi for us up here in Canada that tackles a subject that needed humanizing long ago.  It's time for 'Homeless'.For quite possibly the first time, 'Homeless' is a film that truly looks at humanizing its subjects rather then coldly dealing with a social issue.  Director Valerio Zanoli takes us on to the streets Las Vegas where the gaps between the have and the have not's has never been more evident and he explores not only the backgrounds, but also the hopes and the dreams of these people who have lost there way and are looking for a way back to that idea of "home".It's a film geared at raising awareness, not only of the issue but of the men and the women who are out there on our city streets all across North America.  I had the unique pleasure of sitting down, not only Valerio but also with National Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Donald Whitehead.  We talked about the issues we see in the film, the unique work being done to lift people out of homelessness, it's root causes and so very much more.'Homeless' can be streamed on TUBI now.

    26 min

  4. May 1

    In The Seats With....Zaide Bil, Sebastian Segers and 'Parasisi' at Hot Docs 2026

    It's amazing how little things can impact some pretty huge changes....It's more non-fiction for you loyal listeners as Hot Docs winds up here in the city of Toronto this weekend as we look at gorgeous film that chronicles how colonialism can bring some sweeping changes to a culture and a community.  It's time for 'Parasisi'.Pulled from the Wayana word for “parasite” or “intruder,”"Parasisi' is a very subtle portrait of daily life of the Wayana people and how the presence of the outside world has affected them in ways both seen and unseen.  From illegal gold mining which leads to Mercury poisoning in their water supply to the forcing of modern religious ideologies on these people who have no concept of them; filmmakers Zaide Bil & Sebastian Segers take us along the shores of the Lawa river to show us how these subtle acts of intrusion and cultural violence have ripple down into the people and the legacy of the land itself.A filmed in B&W; 'Parasisi' is one of the more stunning films we've seen this year and we had the pleasure of sitting down with directors Zaide Bil & Sebastian Segers to talk about the origins of the project and so very much more.

    21 min

  5. May 1

    In The Seats With....Ryan Ermacora, Jessica Johnson and 'Concrete Turned To Sand' at Hot Docs 2026

    There's beauty in the genuine patience of filmmaking....On this episode we are back in throws of non-fiction as the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival which rounds up here in Toronto this weekend and we look a film that required the filmmakers and the viewers to revel in the need for patience.  It's time for 'Concrete Turned To Sand'.This film takes us to Cortes Island, a coastal paradise in British Columbia’s Discovery Islands archipelago. Its ecosystem is a breeding ground for oysters whose shells (that are often compared to stones) are shaped by tidal currents. These fossils take years to reach maturity; however like many things in the world today their environment is changing faster than they can adapt. Using 35mm film in concert with talks with farmers and scientists we get not only a glimpse into how these creatures form but how things like ocean warming and acidification can take their lifecycles far off track.  It all makes for a truly engrossing visual experience.We talked with directors Ryan Ermacora, & Jessica Johnson about the nature of the project, the challenges of working on 35mm, what it added to the project and so very much more....

    24 min

  6. May 1

    In The Seats With....Mackenzie Stannard, 'Constant Battles' and Hot Docs 2026

    Achieving the pinnacle of your chosen sport can have costs you don't always anticipate....It's more non-fiction for your minds as we've got even more from the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival that runs through the weekend.  Up next, it's time for 'Constant Battles'.This is the story of a young woman determined to become the first Iranian born female boxer who has to confront her own self doubt and anxiety as well as her mother's past trauma to understand how true strength can ultimately transcend winning.While a lean 38 min, this was so much more then your standard sports documentary as it really got us into the mindset of being an athlete at this level,We talked with director Mackenzie Stannard about all this and so much in advance of his premiere here at Hot Docs.

    18 min

  7. May 1

    In The Seats With...Aisha Jamal, 'The Theft' and Hot Docs 2026

    In this business, we all end up doing double duty....Well we got laid up for a couple of days, but luckily the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is still running strong and we've got plenty of non-fiction still to talk about.In the spirit of double duty we got to talk with programmer Aisha Jamal about working as a programmer for the festival for a decade+, the evolution of documentary cinema, the importance of festivals like this and so very much more...AS WELL AS...Talking with her about her new film which just debuted on TVO, is available on the TVO Docs YouTube Channel and app which is called 'The Theft'.'The Theft' is set in the backdrop of Afghanistan as the film traces a series of 12th century marble panels looted from the country over the decades of political upheaval and rampant looting in recent memory.  The film tackles the consequences of the cultural looting of a country like Afghanistan and the complexities in getting these artifacts back to their home countries while they currently sit in many Western museums.It was a fascinating conversation on both fronts, and yet another testament to the importance of documentary film.Support documentary film, support Hot Docs, support the art form of cinema as it is such a vital cog in our collective consciousness and culture.

    23 min

  8. Apr 23

    In The Seats With...Pete Ohs and 'Erupcja'

    Love stories just have a different energy...In theatres this coming Friday is a quiet charm of a love story that is just grounded enough to actually feel real.  It's time for 'Erupcja'.In a film that evokes memories of the French New Wave, 'Erupcja' is the story of the combustible chemistry between a Polish florist and a British tourist in this charming postcard of sapphic synchronicity.There's a minimalist yet still joyful vibe to 'Erupcja' as it takes us into one of those moments of emotional eruption that can happen in all of our lives.  It's a gorgeous piece of cinema starring the enigmatic Charlie XCX in perhaps her most genuine performance in a film to date.We had the pleasure of sitting down with co-writer/director Pete Ohs about the origins of the story, developing this story with Charlie, the nature of his filmmaking, shooting on a tight schedule, having collaborators willing to go on a quick creative journey with him (he prides himself in short shooting schedules) and the art of being willing to try something just a little different.Check your local listings this coming Friday Apr 24th for 'Erupcja'

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Where we sit down with industry professionals and talk about their latest projects, influences, the state of the industry and all things under the sun...

Information

  • Creator
    David Voigt
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 David Voigt
  • Show Website
    In The Seats with...