FAQ: Hot Docs Festival

Tickets

• When can I get tickets?

  Ticket packages and passes are on sale now. 
  
  Members, Doc Soup subscribers and ticket package holders can access tickets beginning on March 28, 2023. 
  
  Single tickets are available to the public starting on April 4, 2023.
  
  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 has been announced.

  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.

• What are rush tickets?

  When there are no advance tickets remaining, rush tickets may still be available for purchase at the venue. Typically, the rush line starts to form outside the cinema about an hour before the screening. Approximately 15 minutes before the screening, Festival will count the empty seats and sell a select amount of tickets to patrons in the rush line. Please note that being in a rush line does not guarantee a ticket to the screening.

  A patron may hold a spot in the rush line for themselves and one other person while standing in the line. If tokens are used, only persons standing in the rush line when the tokens are handed out will receive a token. One rush token per person.

• 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 and events during Hot Docs Festival. They also receive discounts on ticket packages and passes. 
  
  Hot Docs at Home Subscribers receive discounts on streaming tickets, streaming ticket bundles and streaming passes.

  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 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.

• 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?
  You can vote in cinemas only. During the Q&A there will be a voting QR code on the screen. Scan this code to vote for the films you just saw. The QR code will also be posted in the cinema. 
  
  Please note: You must vote immediately following your screening. You will not be able to cast your vote later. 

Packages

• I have a ticket package or Doc Soup Subscription. How do I get tickets?

  20-Pack holder, 12-Pack holders, Doc Soup subscribers, 6-Ticket Bundle holders (streaming and screening), and Podcast Showcase Pass holders can now access their tickets online. 
  
  To get tickets:

  • Sign in with your username and email
  • Browse the list of films, select the one you'd like to see.
  • Click on "Tickets" beside the time of the screening you'd like to attend. (Or "Screen" for 6-Ticket Streaming Bundles).
  • Beside the $0 - Package Ticket option, select the number of tickets you would like, then "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. Your ticket is only valid until 15 minutes before showtime. If you arrive less than 15 minutes before the start of your screening, your seat is not guaranteed. Arrive early for best seating. Latecomers not admitted to the screening will not be issued a refund.
  
  Streaming: Available across Canada from May 5-9. Once you start your stream, you will have 48 hours to finish watching.

• Can I share my package tickets with friends?

  You can use as many package tickets as you like for each in-person screening. 
  
  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.
  
  Please note: 6-Ticket Streaming Bundles cannot be shared, but you can always host a viewing party at home with as many people as you like!

Streaming

• When can I begin streaming my films?

  Films will be available starting at 12:01 a.m. on May 5. 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?
  Online streaming is available from May 5 to May 9. Once you start streaming, you have 48 hours to finish watching your film.
• How do I stream a film?

  Ticket buyers can access their streams from May 5-9 via their Hot Docs Account.
  
  All-You-Can-Stream Pass holders can stream at watch.hotdocs.ca from May 5-9.
  
  WATCH ON YOUR COMPUTER, MOBILE PHONE OR TABLET
  Currently you can stream through the following web browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. For both PC and Apple computers, we recommend that you use the latest version of your browser.
  Note: Internet Explorer is not supported. For a complete list of compatibility, please click here.

  
  WATCH ON YOUR TELEVISION
  
  Download the Hot Docs app on:

  • AppleTV
  • Roku
  • AndroidTV
  • FireTV

  Follow the instructions on your device. If you are given a pairing code, click on the gear in the top right corner of the Hot Docs at Home portal and click "Watch on My TV" and follow the instructions.

  Screen Sharing (Chromecast & Apple TV)
  You can stream films on Chromecast or Apple TV (all generations) by screen sharing your smartphone, tablet, or computer on the same Wi-Fi network. Please note: if you are using an Apple mobile device, you cannot Chromecast.
  
  HDMI
  If you have a laptop or nearby computer with an HDMI port, you can connect it directly to your television, using it as a second monitor. That said, connection details will depend on your setup. We recommend referencing your television’s manual for more information.

• 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.