The 2025 – 14th Annual, DocFest Gala will return on Friday February 21st 2025. Save the Date!
2024 Gala Film and Concert
We are thrilled at the prospect of connecting with our incredible audiences as we return, once again, live and in-person to present our Gala Feature and Live Concert at the Historic Empire Theatre in Downtown Belleville, on Friday, February 23rd at 7pm – we hope to see you there!
Following the tradition of our DocFest Gala film selections, we’ve selected Carlos, a feature film all about making incredible music. This year, we are also very pleased to announce that the Gala film will be followed by a live performance by Mexican-born Javier Vazquez (named the “Canadian Carlos Santana” by the Toronto Sun) on the Empire Theatre stage!
Gala Film Selection
Carlos
The Gala film this year is Carlos, an intimate portrait of the musical legend Carlos Santana. The film recounts the events and influences that shaped his remarkable career that took him from street performer to 10-time Grammy Award winner and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
In this intimate portrait directed by two-time Emmy-winning director Rudy Valdez, the guitar legend recounts in his own words the events and influences that shaped his remarkable career.
“Rudy Valdez’s enthralling documentary celebrates Santana’s Latin-gone-psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll life, which had a different arc from that of other rock stars.” Owen Gleiberman, 2023, Variety
Gala Concert
Presenting Javier Vazquez – Live at the Empire!
DocFest’s 2024 Gala show promises to be full of energy and the hottest in Latin music. We will be presenting the Mexican-born Javier Vazquez on vocals and guitar (named the “Canadian Carlos Santana” by the Toronto Sun). Javier will be of Canadian and Latino musicians will bring the best of both worlds to create an exciting musical fusion.
Javier Vazquez has a rich history of playing across Canada, the US, and the Middle East. He’s also played the Canadian National Exhibition- he’s done it all. Javier also fronts Abraxas, which has been acclaimed as one of the most authentic, powerful, and accurate tributes to the music of Santana in North America. Expect a spectacular performance with a range of Latin fusion music, and some select Santana covers – a perfect pairing with our feature film Carlos!
Don’t miss your opportunity to catch the film and full concert experience – live and in-person at the 13th Annual 2024 Belleville Downtown DocFest Gala Event!
News & Updates
Save the Date and Submissions Open for DocFest
Save the dates for 2025!
