Antoni Cimolino Documentary THIS ABOVE ALL Sets World Premiere

This Above All: The Theatrical Life of Antoni Cimolino, a film spotlighting the Stratford Festival Artistic Director, will make its world premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival this month.

Directed by Barry Avrich and produced by Mark Selby, the documentary follows Antoni Cimolino as he prepares for his final season as Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival after nearly four decades with the organization. 

At once an intimate portrait, a backstage chronicle, and a celebration of Canadian artistry, This Above All traces Cimolino’s journey from young actor to director and Artistic Director, and features reflections from artists and collaborators across the Canadian theatre community.

“When you spend your life in theatre storytelling, you never imagine being the story yourself,” said Cimolino. “I am both humbled by the notion of having my life documented and, at the same time, deeply proud to have contributed to a richly talented landscape of Canadian artists that became my world, my life and my work.”

The documentary will premiere at Hot Docs on Monday, April 27, at 7:45 pm at the TIFF Lightbox, with a repeat screening on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 11:15 am.

Following the premiere, This Above All: The Theatrical Life of Antoni Cimolino will air on The Documentary Channel on Sunday, August 30 at 9 pm ET/PT with a CBC Gem release to follow on Friday, September 18.

Produced by Melbar Entertainment Group, the film was made with the participation of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, Ontario Creates, and Rogers Documentary Fund, and in association with The Documentary Channel.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Melbar Entertainment Group