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Tickets, Passes & Packages

  • When can I get tickets?

    Festival passes and packages will be one sale mid-November 2021. 

    Single tickets will be available mid-March 2022. 

    Just like the live Festival, we have a limited number of tickets, which will be released on a first-come, first-served basis. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

  • How do I get tickets?

    The full list of films will be announced mid-March 2022. 

    When you find something you’d like to watch, click on the film title. Once on the film page, press the "Get Ticket" button to purchase or reserve your stream.


    Package holders and Doc Soup subscribers must sign in first to use their pass/package. Members must sign in first to receive their member discount.

  • Do I need a Hot Docs account to stream films?

    Yes, you need a Hot Docs account.

    If you have purchased tickets online to Hot Docs Festival or Hot Docs Cinema, you should already have an account. You can sign in with your member number, email address or user name.

    If you do not have an account, you will be asked to create one to get tickets and stream films. Click the text that says “New to Hot Docs? CLICK HERE to sign up” on the sign in page.

  • How do I use my Festival pass?
    Please check back later for details on using your pass.
  • I have a 5-Pack, 12-Pack or Doc Soup Subscription. How do I get tickets?

    Please check back later for details on using a ticket package or Doc Soup subscription.

  • Can I share my 5-Pack, 12-Pack, Unlimited Festival Pass or Doc Soup Subscription tickets with friends?

    Packages and subscriptions can be shared for in-person tickets. 

    Packages, passes and subscriptions cannot be shared for online streaming tickets. Each is intrinsically tied to the purchaser's account. Packages and subscriptions also only allow one stream per film, per package.

  • Do Hot Docs Members receive member pricing or free tickets?

    Hot Docs Members receive member pricing on all films screening as part of Hot Docs Festival Online. The member price is $11.50 (regular $13) per film.

    Remember to sign in before purchasing. The special member pricing option will not appear until you are signed in.

  • I have a Promo Code. Can I use it to stream a film?

    Yes. Click the GET TICKET button and enter the promo code when prompted. Once you have entered the promo code, your appropriately priced promotional ticket option will appear. Select this option and continue to check out. Your order will be complete once you have clicked “Make Payment” or “Finalize Order.”

    Note: Only one promo code can be used per film.

  • I want to get a ticket to an online film, but it is SOLD OUT? Why?

    Just like the live Festival, there are a limited number of tickets available per film. Please reserve your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

  • Are refunds or exchanges available?

    Refunds or exchanges are not available. Before completing your order, please ensure that your order is correct.

  • I have not received my confirmation email. What should I do?

    Confirmation emails are sent automatically when you complete your purchase. If you do not recieve a confirmation email within a few minutes of completing your purchase, please check your spam or junk mail folders.

    You can still stream your film without the confirmation email. After April 28, 2022, either click the WATCH FILM button on the film page or visit the My Streams page.

Online Streaming

  • When can I begin streaming my films?

    Films will be available starting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 28. You can stream by clicking the WATCH FILM button in your confirmation email or on the film page, or by going to the My Streams page.

  • How long after getting a ticket do I have to stream a film?

    If using tickets or a ticket package, films are available from April 28 to May 8. 

    If you have Hot Docs Unlimited Festival Pass, films are available until May 18.

  • Can I watch a film more than once?

    Yes. Once you begin watching you have 48 hours to view the film. During this 48-hour period, you can watch or restart the film as many times as needed.

  • I am not currently in Canada. Why can’t I stream a film?

    All films participating in Hot Docs Festival are geo-blocked to Canada You must be within the country to stream the films.

    With the shift to online, Hot Docs had to create new digital agreements with filmmakers and distributors, and those agreements included limiting Hot Docs Festival Online streaming access to Canada.

  • I am in Canada but am unable to stream and keep getting a message that says “Film not available in your region.” How do I fix this?

     

    Please contact [email protected].

  • Is closed captioning available on the films?

    We have endeavoured to ensure that as many films as possible have either closed or open captioning. Captions are indicated on the film pages with CC for closed captioning.

    Closed captions can be turned on or off while streaming the film. To turn them on, select English (CC) in the subtitle window at the bottom right corner of the video player.

  • Why are there numbers in the top left corner of my screen? Can I get rid of it?

    These numbers are an anti-piracy watermark.

    Hot Docs works with Festival filmmakers to enable anti-piracy measures to ensure that films stream with the highest level of security. The number is an unique visible watermark tied to your ticket and cannot be removed. Under Canada’s Copyright Act, unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted material is illegal.

  • How do I vote for the Hot Docs audience awards and $50,000 Rogers Audience Award?

    To vote, watch a film, then click on the stars on the film streaming page (1 - lowest, 5-highest) to cast your vote. Voting closes on May 8, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

    All official are eligible for the Hot Docs audience awards, which will recognize the top films as determined by audience poll. The winner of the Hot Docs Audience Award for feature documentary also qualifies for consideration for the Oscar for Documentary Feature without standard theatrical runs, provided the films otherwise comply with the Academy rules.

    Feature-length documentaries screening as part of Hot Docs Festival Online that have a Canadian director and are CAVCO-certified will be eligible for the Rogers Audience Award. The top five Canadian documentaries as determined by audience poll will each win a cash prize of $10,000 CAD.