FAQ: Hot Docs Festival

Tickets

• When can I get tickets?

  Members, Doc Soup subscribers and ticket package holders can access tickets beginning on March 30, 2022. 
  
  Single tickets will be available to the public starting on April 5, 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 March 30, 2022.

  When you find something you’d like to watch, click on the film title. Once on the film page, click on "Tickets" beside the desired screening time, or the "Stream" button. 

  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?

  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.

• 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.

  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 get tickets?

  Yes. After clicking on "Tickets" or "Stream" you will be prompted to enter your promo code. Once you have entered the code, you will see a promotional ticket price option. Select this option and continue to check out. 
  
  If you do not see the prompt, there is "Promotion Code?" button. Click this button and enter your promo code. Once you have entered the code, you will see a promotional ticket price option. Select this option and continue to check out. 
  
  Your order will be complete once you have clicked "Finalize Order."

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

• 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.

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

  In-Cinema Screenings
  Your online voting link will be available at the end of the in-cinema screening. Visit hotdocs.ca/vote and enter your 14-digit ticket number to cast your vote (1-lowest, 5-highest). One ballot per ticket.
  
  Online Streaming
  If you are streaming the film online, you must use the stars on the streaming page to cast your vote (1-lowest, 5-highest).

Package Holders & Doc Soup Subscribers

• I have a 12-Pack, 20-Pack or Doc Soup Subscription. How do I get tickets?

  20-, 12- and 6-Pack holders, as well as Doc Soup subscribers, can now log in to secure 2022 Festival tickets. Your ticket package can be used to book in-cinema and streaming tickets. 
  
  Your early booking window starts now and runs until Monday, April 4. To get tickets:

  • Sign in with your username and email
  • Browse the list of films, select the one you'd like to see.

  
  For in-cinema screening tickets:

  • Click on "Tickets" beside the time of the screening you'd like to attend.
  • Select your seat(s), select the $0 - Package option, and add to cart.

  
  For online streaming tickets:

  • Click on the "Stream" button
  • Select the $0 - Package option, and add to cart 

  
  After adding to your cart, you can return to the film list and get more tickets. Once you have selected all your films, proceed to checkout and FINALIZE your order.
  
  After you check out, you will receive a confirmation email with your tickets/streaming instructions.
  
  In-Cinema Screenings: Please arrive early. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home. We would be happy to either refund your ticket or exchange it for an online streaming ticket. Please review Hot Docs' Health & Safety Measures before your first screening.
  
  Online Streaming:  Unless otherwise noted, films are available for streaming for 5 days starting at 9am the day after the first in-cinema screening. You will have 48 hours to stream once you have begun watching. Streaming is available across Canada.

• Can I share my package tickets with friends?

  You can use as many package tickets as you like for each in-person screening. You can also stream a Festival film at home with as many guests as you want. However, the ticket package holder must be the one to sign in and book the in-cinema or online tickets.
  
  Forwarding In-Cinema Tickets: To forward in-cinema tickets to family and friends, SIGN IN to your Hot Docs account. Choose "Forward Tickets" from the My Account section. Select the tickets you wish to forward, enter the recipients name and email, and sent them their tickets. Note: After forwarding, you will receive a new email with your remaining tickets. Please note, the previous tickets will no longer be valid.

• Can I exchange package tickets?
  Yes! Ticket package holders can exchange tickets prior to the start time of the in-cinema screening or the start of the online streaming window. SIGN IN and view the My Calendar section to exchange your tickets.

Unlimited Online Pass Holders

• How do I use my Unlimited Online Pass?

  As an Unlimited Online Pass holder, you DO NOT need to get tickets to stream films. Once the Festival starts, you can stream as many films as you like online.

  1. Starting April 28, log into your exclusive viewing portal at watch.hotdocs.ca
  2. Sign in with the email attached to your Hot Docs account and password
  3. Scroll through the films, click on the image above a film's title, and click "Play" to watch

  Streaming for most Festival films will be available for five (5) days starting at 9:00 a.m. the day after the first in-cinema screening. A selection of films will be available starting at 9:00 a.m. on April 28, and those will be available for the duration of the festival.

  Note: This pass does not offer the bearer access to tickets to in person screenings or events. In-cinema screening tickets must be purchased separately.

• Can I share my Unlimited Online Pass?
  You can also stream a Festival film at home with as many guests as you like. However, the pass holder must be the one to sign in and start the stream.

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?
  Unless otherwise indicated, online streaming is available for five days starting the date after the first in-cinema screening. 
• 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.
  
  A small number of films are available for 72 hours due to length. This is indicated on the film page and in your confirmation email.

• 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.