The Georgia Straight proudly sponsors the Best of Hot Docs at Vancity Theatre

The Vancouver International Film Festival and Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival present the return of Best of Hot Docs, a selection of documentary film screenings at the Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour Street) from June 20 to 26.

This year, Best of Hot Docs will include nine films:

I am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story is a U.S. documentary directed by Chad Walker and Dave LaMattina. The film tells the extraordinary story of Caroll Spinney, the man behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street. I am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story will screen on Friday (June 20) at 6:30 p.m. and again on Thursday (June 26) at 6:30 p.m.

Doug Block’s 112 Weddings takes footage the director recorded as a wedding videographer over 20 years, and revisits the couples featured in them. On the eve of his own 25^th wedding anniversary, Block asks these couples, “What makes a marriage work?” and explores the true meaning of commitment. 112 Weddings will be shown Friday (June 20) at 8:45 p.m.

A fiery octogenarian with a passion for the environment is at the centre of Divide in Concord. Director Kris Kaczor’s film will be screened Saturday (June 21) at 4 p.m. On the same day at 6:30 p.m., Justin Weinstein and Tyler Measom’s An Honest Liar will be shown. The film, which follows the life of magician and escape artist James “The Amazing” Randi, will be screened again on Thursday (June 26) at 8:45 p.m.

The Internet’s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz tells the story of Aaron Swartz, who as a teenager, took the Internet community by storm as a developer and activist. At the age of 26, Swartz committed suicide after his life took a dramatic turn. This documentary directed by Brian Knappenberger will be shown on Saturday (June 21) at 8:45 p.m.

Jean-Nicolas Orhon’s Slums: Cities of Tomorrow (June 22 at 6:30 p.m.) look at life in shantytowns around the world, while Oscar-nominated director Joe Berlinger’s Whitey: United States of America vs. James J Bulger (June 22 at 8:45 p.m.) examines the life of Boston ex-mobster and FBI informant James “Whitey” Bulger.

Happiness, directed by Thomas Balmès, follows a young monk in Bhutan as he learns to straddle primitive and modern worlds. The film will be screened on Wednesday (June 25) at 6:30 p.m. Jesse Roesler’s The Starfish Throwers (June 25 at 8:45 p.m.) joins three individuals in their fight against hunger.

Tickets to individual screenings at Best of Hot Docs are $12 and five-pack ticket packages are $50. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the Vancity Theatre box office prior to the show.