The Delivery Line – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

HOT DOCS 2026 WRAP – Emma Badame Reports

May 7, 2026 Emma Badame American Doctor, Canadian Film Fests, documentaries, HOT DOCS 2026, House of Hope, Marjolein Busstra, Poh Si Teng, The Delivery Line, Toronto film fests, Truck Mama

It’s been a turbulent few years for the organization behind Toronto’s annual Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival, but each spring they still manage to deliver a sure-footed 10-day event filled with a host of must-see features and shorts. The 2026 edition was no exception. And like many recent festivals, this year’s slate gave movie-lovers engaging stories from home and around the world and from both up-and-coming and established filmmakers. Programmers put a real effort into making their line-up diverse–from every viewpoint–and it shows.

Reviews

THE DELIVERY LINE (Hot Docs 2026) – Review by Rachel West

April 30, 2026May 7, 2026 Rachel West afghanistan, colombia, documentary, Hot Docs, mexico, midwives, Nance Ackerman, nigeria canada, The Delivery Line

Pregnancy and childbirth are often joyous, but they can also be marked by stress, health risks, and uncertainty— especially for those facing poverty, crime, climate change, war, and migration. For many, midwives are the ones guiding them through it. In The Delivery Line, director Nance Ackerman profiles five midwives working on the frontlines, from makeshift tents on the US-Mexico border to remote villages in Afghanistan. The film is an unflinching yet compassionate look at the realities of giving birth around the world. It follows five women who support and advocate for their communities. Blending traditional and modern practices, they bring care and dignity to some of the most challenging environments.