The Betty Youson Award for Best Canadian Short Documentary is a Canadian award, presented annually by the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival to honour a film judged as the best Canadian short documentary film in that year's festival program. The award comes with a $3,000 prize from festival sponsors John and Betty Youson.
The award was presented for the first time in 2018. Prior to that year, a single award for Best Short Documentary Film, inclusive of both Canadian and international films, was presented. Concurrently with the creation of the Betty Youson Award, a separate award for international short films was also created.
The jury have also usually given an honorable mention in addition to the overall winner.
Winners Year Film Filmmaker(s) Ref 2018 Prince's Tale Jamie Miller Norman Wilner, "Hot Docs 2018: A Little Wisdom, Transformer among award winners". Now, May 5, 2018. Vika Christian Borys, Marta Iwanek 2019 Kora: A Circle Life Tenzin Sedon Jennie Punter, "‘We Will Stand Up,’ ‘Hope Frozen’ Take Top Prizes at Hot Docs". Variety, May 4, 2019. Mothers Of Ross Lai 2020 êmîcêtôcêt: Many Bloodlines Theola Ross Jillian Morgan, "“Prayer for a Lost Mitten,” “Stray” take top prizes at Hot Docs ’20 competition". RealScreen, May 15, 2020. In the Shadow of the Pines Anne Koizumi 2021 Ain't No Time for Women Sarra El Abed Kevin Ritchie, "Hot Docs 2021: Zo Reken, One Of Ours claim top prizes". Now, May 7, 2021. The Hairdresser Lorraine Price 2022 Perfecting the Art of Longing Kitra Cahana Victoria Ahearn, "Eternal Spring takes top prizes at Hot Docs". Playback, May 9, 2022. The Benevolents (Les Bienvaillants) Sarah Baril Gaudet 2023 Last Respects Megan Durnford Jennie Punter, "‘The Mountains,’ Heartbreaking Portrait of a Fractured Family, Wins Top Honor at Hot Docs". Variety, May 6, 2023. 2024 Am I the Skinniest Person You’ve Ever Seen? Eisha Marjara Jennie Punter, "‘Farming the Revolution’ Harvests Top International Competition Award at Hot Docs". Variety, May 3, 2024. The Sparkle (L'Artifice) Isabelle Grignon-Francke 2025 Delta Dawn Asia Youngman Matthew Carey, "Hot Docs Announces Prizes: Awards Go To ‘I, Poppy,’ ‘River Of Grass,’ ‘Paul,’ ‘Khartoum’ And More". Deadline Hollywood, May 2, 2025. 2026 My Body Goes to Work Fernanda Molina Matthew Carey, "West Bank-Set ‘House Of Hope,’ ‘Saigon Story: Two Shootings In The Forest Kingdom’ Among Big Winners At Hot Docs". Deadline Hollywood, May 1, 2026.
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