Launched in 1993, the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is the largest documentary film festival on the American continent. It takes place every spring, accompanied by international film markets and industry conferences. This year's edition will be held from 27 March to 2 April.
Following the tragic death of her mother at the Polish-Belarusian border, a 16-year-old Kurdish girl has to grow up in an instant and take care of her 4 younger brothers and a depressed, helpless father. During their stay in a refugee camp, the family has to face trauma, an uncertain future, and threat of deportation. Runa finds escape from everyday problems in a sketchbook – filled with an increasing number of disturbing images. Silent Trees is a partially animated story about growing up prematurely in the shadow of the global refugee crisis.
You can find out more about the festival here.