Brian Knappenbergers and Caroll Spinney

Caroll Spinney: Organizers said Tuesday that the annual documentary marathon will kick off April 24 with Brian Knappenbergers The Internets Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz while special presentations include Cynthia Hills domestic abuse study Private Violence and Jesse Mosss The Overnighters, about a pastor who helps desperate men looking for work in a small North Dakota community, according to 660 News. Takei and puppeteer Caroll Spinney will meet audiences as part of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series. Takei will discuss his roles as actor, activist and social media master in To Be Takei; while Spinney will discuss I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story. At age 80, he is the last of the original Sesame Street puppeteers and Shock rocker Alice Cooper, Star Trek favourite George Takei and the puppeteer behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch are among the personalities expected at this years Hot Docs film festival. Cooper will be on hand to premiere the so-called doc opera Super Duper Alice Cooper and take questions alongside directors Reginald Harkema, Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn. Cineplex Entertainment will simulcast the event to 47 theatres across the country. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.