My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Antoni Cimolino Documentary THIS ABOVE ALL Sets World Premiere

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.

By:
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

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Long-Running Broadway Show - Top 3
1. Hadestown
20% of votes
2. Hamilton
16.8% of votes
3. Wicked
12.1% of votes

Need more Toronto Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Waiting for Godot in Toronto Waiting for Godot
Stratford Festival (5/14-7/31) PHOTOS
Disney and Pixar's Finding Nemo in Toronto Disney and Pixar's Finding Nemo
Young People's Theatre (11/26-12/27)
IMAGES AT AN EXHIBITION in Toronto IMAGES AT AN EXHIBITION
Meridian Arts Centre – George Weston Recital Hall (5/16-5/16)
World's Gone Wild in Toronto World's Gone Wild
The Second City (3/27-7/26)
Fred Penner: The Hero In You in Toronto Fred Penner: The Hero In You
Young People's Theatre (3/06-3/20)
Black Boys Cry in Toronto Black Boys Cry
Native Earth Performing Arts (7/18-7/18) VIDEOS
Not Dead Yet! - John Cleese and the Holy Grail at 50 in Toronto Not Dead Yet! - John Cleese and the Holy Grail at 50
The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres (10/02-10/02)
Kismet/Emma Bovary in Toronto Kismet/Emma Bovary
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (5/29-6/04)
The Good, The Bad, The Young & The Restless  in Toronto The Good, The Bad, The Young & The Restless
Bad Dog Theatre Company (5/08-5/22)
The Caged Bird Sings in Toronto The Caged Bird Sings
Tarragon Theatre (6/09-6/21)