FAQ: Industry Conference & Market

Registration

• I have registered but have not received a confirmation email. Should I be concerned?

  You should receive an email within 24 hours of submitting your registration form. If you have not received your confirmation email, please contact Hot Docs registration.

• Will I receive a receipt/invoice for my registration fee?

  Yes. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. Your receipt will be attached to that email.
  
   

• If I’ve submitted a film to the Festival, do I still have to pay for my pass?

  Applicants will be notified by email in early March if their work has been selected to screen at the Festival. If your film has been selected, you will receive three complimentary passes. If you are able to attend the Festival in-person, we will upgrade your pass accordingly.

• I am unable to attend. Can I transfer my pass to a colleague or receive a refund?

  If you are unable to participate in Hot Docs, you may transfer your pass to a colleague until April 1. Full refunds are available until April 27. All pass transfers and refund requests must be formally submitted by email to [email protected].

• I usually get a press pass. Do I still need to register online?

  Yes. Visit the Media section of this website and apply for media accreditation.

• Do you have a discounted pass for students and scholars?
  Hot Docs welcome emerging filmmakers currently enrolled or recently graduated from film programs with a Conference Pass at an exclusive Emerging Filmmaker Rate of $199. Limited spots available. Click here to apply for the discounted rate.
• Will passes be on sale during the Festival?
  Passes will be on sale during the Festival, subject to availability.
• Where do I pickup my industry pass?
  You can pick up your delegate package at the Industry Registration Desk starting April 26. Registered delegates will receive more details about pass pickup in April.

Attending Hot Docs Festival

• Will there be a digital component for this year's Festival?
  There will be no virtual industry programming during the 2023 Festival. All attendees will have access to the Online Community, where they can find the list of attendees and other resources, as well as the Swapcard app, where they can personalize their schedule and connect with fellow attendees. 
  
  Industry All-Access and Conference & Networking Pass holders can stream films, including some Festival selections, in The Doc Shop.
• I have accessibility needs. How can you help?
  Hot Docs value inclusivity and accessibility for all guests, staff and volunteers​. Details about venue accessibility can be found HERE and our full accessibility policy is available HERE.
• Are there any child care provisions for parents attending the Festival?
  We have launched a new program to connect Hot Docs delegates with subsidized childcare during the 2023 Festival. If you are interested and would like to learn more, please email us at [email protected]. This pilot program is supported by J.P. Bickell Foundation.
• What is Hot Docs' Code of Conduct?

  Hot Docs is a forum to share stories and perspectives on the people, issues and events that shape our world, and we encourage respectful discussion and debate to foster greater understanding and empathy.

  For this important exchange of ideas, the Festival is committed to providing a friendly and safe environment in which all can comfortably participate. We welcome diversity and do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or abusive or threatening behaviour of any kind.

  Hot Docs reserves the right to rescind the credentials of those who engage in harassment, discrimination, or abusive or threatening behaviour, and to prohibit access to venues and events, without warning or refund.
  
  The full Code of Conduct is available HERE, and Hot Docs Values can be found HERE.

  If you feel you have been the target of, or have observed, such behaviour, please notify a Hot Docs staff manager at the venue, or contact [email protected].

  All violations of the law should be reported to local law enforcement. For emergencies, immediately dial 9-1-1.

Swapcard App

• How do I access the app?

  All industry passholders will receive an email with log in details the Swapcard online event platform. Click on the button in the email to connect to the online platform. Your username for the platform is the email you used to register for the event.
  
  If you did not receive an email, you can access the platform HERE >>

  Please note that user accounts are limited to a single user and will be locked if shared with multiple users.

• Can I build my own personalized schedule?

  Yes, when viewing the schedule in the Swapcard app, you can add sessions by clicking the calendar icon next to the name of the session/event.

• What do I do if my magic link expires?

  The magic link is an email with a security token personalized for your email address. It expires in one hour or once you use it. If your magic link has expired, you can send yourself a new one from the login page.

  If you ar still unable to login, please contact us at [email protected].

• How do I see and edit my profile?

  Once you are in the home menu, click on My Profile in the menu or “Edit” beside your profile image. You can add or remove your personal details here.

• What information in my profile is accessible to other members?

  Public profile information that is accessible by all members of the event includes first and last name, company, biography, social networks (if completed), and skills (if completed).

  
  Private information is accessible by those members with whom you are connected, meaning you either sent/received and accepted a meeting request. Information available to connections includes first and last name, company, biography, social networks (if completed), skills (if completed, email, telephone number (if completed) and address (if completed).

• I can’t find myself in the attendee list. Why not?

  You will not appear to yourself when viewing the attendee list. If you would like to view or edit your profile, click on My Profile in the menu or “Edit” beside your profile image. You can add or remove your personal details here.

• What if I don’t want to be visible in the attendee list?

  You can make yourself visible or invisible at any time. To manage your visibility, go to Attendees and adjust the Visibility button according to your preference.

• Is there a list available of everyone participating at Hot Docs?

  Industry pass holders can browse the attendees list and contact fellow delegates in the Swapcard online event platform.

• Do I need a particular device or bandwidth to attend the event?

  You will need an internet connection and a web browser (recommended: Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari). We recommend high-speed internet for a better visual experience.

• Can I access the event on my phone or tablet?

  Yes. You will need to download the Swapcard app on the App Store or Google Play.

• What if I’m having streaming or playback issues on Swapcard?

  Please note that Swapcard works best with Chrome or Firefox. If you are experiencing blank pages, streaming issues or app latency, please switch to one of these two browsers if you have been working on another browser. Internet Explorer does not support Swapcard.

  Should the video player remain unavailable following a page refresh; it is most likely a security setting on your browser, device, or network blocking access to the content server. We would recommend trying the following.

  1. Try accessing the site from another browser (this gets around any browser settings that could be blocking access) If you are on a PC you should have access to Edge and if on a Mac it will be Safari
  2. Open an Incognito Window and try to access the content through this (this gets around any cached or bad data that could be held in the browser)
  3. Try on a different device (Mobile perhaps, if you are viewing on desktop)
  4. Use a different internet connection, a mobile phone with wifi off so it uses mobile data is a good option (this is a way to bypass corporate network restrictions or VPNs that may be presenting an issue).
• I am trying to start a meeting but I get a blank/black screen with no Audio or Video. How do I fix this?

  This problem usually occurs if there is a firewall that is blocking the streaming connection. Run the Pre-call test in order to determine if the system network is ready for a call.

The Doc Shop

• I want to upload my film to The Doc Shop. What should I do?
  Registered attendees may submit their film to The Doc Shop. Please check your confirmation email for details.

  The fee to submit a film is: $75 + HST

• What is The Doc Shop?

  The Doc Shop is Hot Docs' industry viewing library, giving you access to many 2023 Festival selections, as well as films available for sales and programming opportunities. During the Festival, Industry All-Access and Conference & Networking Pass holders can access The Doc Shop via the Swapcard event platform and app.
  
  Access to The Doc Shop ends on May 31. Decision Makers have extended access to The Doc Shop until March 1, 2024.

• Can I vote for the Hot Docs audience awards and Rogers Audience Award?

  You cannot vote for the audience awards in The Doc Shop. You must attend an in-cinema screening to vote for that film.

• What are the technical requirements for The Doc Shop?

  You can watch content on PCs running Windows 7+, and Intel-based Macs running OSX 10.12+. You can also watch films on Android tablets and phones using Chrome, and on iPhones and iPads using Safari.

  Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10
  Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser. Internet Explorer is not supported.

  Mac OSX 10.12 or later
  Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser.

Online Community

• How do I access the Online Community?

  When your registration is processed, industry holders are sent a link to reset your password. Please check your spam folder. If you cannot find the email, let us know at [email protected].

  Once you’ve reset your password, you can access the Online Community here: hotdocsfest.force.com/industrycommunity/s/login/

  Industry pass holders can also access the Online Community from the main menu in Swapcard.

• Where can I access the Guide to Decision Makers?

  All-Access Online Pass holders can access the Guide to Decision Makers in the Online Community.