‘Goddess of Slide’ Documentary on Ellen McIlwaine to Premiere on CBC Gem
Toronto, ON – The compelling story of pioneering slide guitarist Ellen McIlwaine is set to reach new audiences with the release of Goddess of Slide: The Forgotten Story of Musician Ellen McIlwaine. The documentary, directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Alfonso Maiorana of Soul Flicker Films, will premiere on CBC Gem on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
McIlwaine, a trailblazing musician, was among the first women to embrace the slide guitar, defying industry norms and expectations. Her unwavering dedication to the instrument and refusal to conform to commercial pressures shaped her career, making her both an icon and an unsung hero in the music world. Goddess of Slide offers an intimate look at McIlwaine’s life, career, and impact on the music industry.
The film traces McIlwaine’s early struggles, from her arrival in Greenwich Village with no prospects to her rise as an in-demand performer. Along the way, she opened for blues legends like Odetta, Richie Havens, and Mississippi John Hurt. A defining moment in her career came when she shared the stage with Jimi Hendrix for six electrifying nights—an experience that forever changed her trajectory as an artist. Despite facing industry roadblocks, McIlwaine remained fearless and independent, using her voice and slide guitar to transcend genres and cultural expectations.
Goddess of Slide debuted at the Calgary International Film Festival in September 2024, where it won the Audience Choice Award for Music on Screen Feature. Since then, it has continued its festival run across the U.S. and Europe, earning critical acclaim.
Ahead of its streaming debut, a special in-person screening will be held at Toronto’s Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema (506 Bloor St West) on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 12:30 PM. Director Alfonso Maiorana will be present for a Q&A session following the screening.
Produced by Maiorana and Agata De Santis, Goddess of Slide was made possible with support from the Canada Media Fund, the Quebec Film and Television Tax Credit, The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, Documentary Channel, the Rogers Documentary Fund, and the Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund.
Tickets for the Toronto screening are available at: Hot Docs Website.
To watch the trailer for Goddess of Slide, visit goddessofslide.com/trailer.
SOURCE Sasha Stoltz Publicity
