Hot Docs 2025 - Citizen Minutes Series 3 Review

Back for its third year, Citizen Minutes is a Hot Docs commissioned program, funding a selection of short films about ordinary Canadians fighting to make change in their communities. 

This year’s selection features a diverse collection of inspiring stories and figures. From a tale of accessibility advocacy with a playful framing device to a story about horses with western influences, this is truly lovely collection of films that will surely open up many Canadian eyes to new and valuable perspectives. 

1. A Stop Gap Measure

This is a wonderful, brief story about Luke Anderson - a Toronto-based disability advocate and wheelchair user. He started Stop-Gap - an organization that has started out by creating ramps for single-step establishments in the city. He knows it’s not enough to change the system, but it’s a start to a greater plan to truly administer change. This is a tight, breezy and sweet film that informs so much about the accessibility barriers that interrupt daily life for many. The framing device used, a made-up children’s TV series starring Anderson and many colourful ramp-shaped puppets - is a great hook. It makes this already charming story even more successful. 

Rating: 8/10

2. Becoming Ruby

This one follows Winnipeg’s notorious drag queen Ruby Chopstix, who is preparing a showcase to platform other local BIPOC performers. Through this, they discuss their drag workshops, their relationship with their family in relevance to their work and their experience as a queer southeast Asian individual. Ruby is a fascinating subject, a feature or a mid-length film might’ve been more justified. Which is the only real issue here - there’s so much ground to cover in such a small period of time. Every time it begins to captivate, it chugs along to the next detail. It does a hell of a good job hooking the audience, though. It’s proof that it only takes 10 minutes to fall in love with Ruby’s mission and advocacy.

Rating: 6/10

3. Hommes-Relais

Within Hommes-Relais is a beautiful tale of male camaraderie, and a goal to foster a supportive environment for men in a similarly tough situation that need it the most. It follows Juan Manuel, a doctor in Quebec who has created a support group and training program for recent migrants who are struggling with immigration group. They receive training on various topics but most importantly, create an inseparable bond in which all members are strong supporters of each other. The film is gorgeously shot and edited, and the warmth is so palpable. A stronger focus on those in the program would’ve made this one flawless.

Rating: 7/10

4. Crossing the Divide

Amidst heavy polarization of political opinion in Canada, two Canadians - one representing our Conservative and Liberal parties each - go to a workshop in the U.S. that teaches civil debate on the subject. It’s heart is in the right place, and its ideas regarding unity represent ideals that should be present in our country. However, it’s not all that well crafted, and the editing is quite overly flashy. It also feels like an odd time to be learning this from the US than bringing a Canadian view to our communities but its hard to blame that on the film.

Rating: 5/10

5. Red Girl Rising

This one highlights the work of Joyce Jonathan Crone, a Mohawk advocate based in Huntsville. She has started many initiatives to bring support and awareness to her people. She is seen as a community leader and brings solidarity between the Mohawk community and the remainder of Muskoka. It’s visually appealing and nicely cut, and it seems like Crone’s work is very significant in her community. The film takes an approach as if you’re already aware of her - those coming in with no outside knowledge may leave confused. But this story deserved to be highlighted nonetheless.

Rating: 5/10

6. La Femme Équi-Libre

Likely the most unique story of the group, this one follows Josée Gallant Gordon, a PEI-based woman running a therapeutic centre for mental health - where horse-riding and horses are the service. It’s wonderfully unique, and it’s lovely to hear such a bubbly person’s story in which they’re really helping the community. Some quirky edits with very clear influences from American westerns and Wes Anderson really let this one shine. It’s not terribly remarkable from a craft perspective but its intentions and heart are great. 

Rating: 6/10

The films in Citizen Minutes Series 3, along with prior series, can be viewed at citizenminutes.ca. The site also lists upcoming theatrical screenings across Canada.