The Nonfiction Hotlist curates and champions exceptional nonfiction storytelling, connecting creators with audiences, industry opportunities, and sustainable pathways forward.

Through thoughtful conversation, community building and curiosity we’re discovering  new and unexpected ways to offer support to creators at any stage of their journey, while also joining forces with long-standing industry organizations who seek meaningful change.

about

  • It's been a pleasure to be part of the NFH community this year. The social media presence in particular has been fantastic, and that added visibility has given us many opportunities to push forward conversations with potential funders. Being on the Hotlist also helped to connect us with composer Ari Balouzian, who recommended Max Whipple, who's proven to be an amazing collaborator.

    Florrie Priest, Father Figures

  • Since being featured on the Nonfiction Hotlist, we have been welcomed into an unbelievably warm and hospitable community of like-minded filmmakers and colleagues. The Hot List connected us with our fantastic post sound team, Full English Post, who worked tirelessly under a tight deadline to get the film ready for our world premiere. Time and time again, the selfless team behind NonFiction Hotlist has demonstrated that rising tides lift all ships.

    Dustin Nakao-Haider, Earth to Michael

  • The Nonfiction Hotlist is an incredible community that represents the best of the documentary world – open, collaborative, non-competitive. We'vre met some extraordinary collaborators on the list.

    Daniel Lombroso, Manhood

  • The Hotlist felt less like exposure and more like a shift in gravity. Once it landed, the film began moving faster and in clearer alignment. As the Hotlist gained momentum, it carried the film with it. What followed was not noise, but velocity.

    Gene Gallerano, Thank You For Listening

  • The Hotlist has supported this project in concrete, tangible ways and have been critical in our success. They connected us with legal, music clearance and other professionals when we needed them. And their support was truly invaluable while negotiating a distribution deal with Slate. Hotlist members played a part in generating Slate’s interest in the project in the first place. We call them the best friends we never knew we needed.

    Lynne Gerber, When We All Get To Heaven

Exceptional nonfiction storytelling changes how we see the world. Too many powerful projects never get the chance to be made.

The Nonfiction Hotlist was created to change that.

values

  • We lead with generosity, respect, and thoughtful relationship-building. 

  • We convene rather than gatekeep, creating spaces where storytellers, funders, and audiences engage directly with projects and each other. 

  • We believe collaboration within a community creates alchemy impossible to replicate, and building with a village leads to the best work.

  • Everyone is invited. 

The 2026

Hotlist is

Open!

Submissions are open! 

The 2026 Hotlist is a curated slate of standout nonfiction works in progress, spanning documentary features, shorts, series, podcasts, and reality. 

We connect creators with audiences, industry opportunities, and partners who can move a project forward.

Deadline to Submit September 9th, 2026

Learn More and Submit

2025 nonfiction hotlist

2025 nonfiction hotlist

The 2025 Nonfiction Hotlist is a curation of 23 nonfiction projects. Check out the list.

Read here.

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