Festival FAQ
Buying Tickets to the Festival
SJFF’s hybrid festival offers both in-person and virtual options, so you can choose what works best for you. In-person events often feature deeper engagement and layered cinematic experiences, community conversations, guest speakers, and special events with food and music. Streaming films are available for a 48-hour window once you hit play. The 30th anniversary SJFF 2025 film + events lineup will be announced in February 2025.
- Passes are hybrid all-access, good for single admission to all in-person films and film events PLUS virtual access to all streaming films.
- Tickets: In-person tickets are single admission. Virtual tickets are single or household (2+) streaming.
- 8-Pack holders can redeem credits for in-person or virtual tickets.
- 6-Pack holders can redeem credits for virtual films only.
- Red Carpet Oscars Party tickets may be purchased separately (limited seating).
How do I buy tickets?
Click the Buy Tickets link on each film page and select your in-person or virtual tickets. Visit the SJFF Box Office page for ticket, pass, and package pricing and current box office and venue policies.
How do I redeem Ticket Package credits for tickets?
To fulfill your 6-Pack or 8-Pack, you must first click “sign in” (upper right) to Elevent using the email/password created upon purchasing. If you do not have a patron account, click “sign in” then “register.” Once signed in, on each film page under Showtimes, you will see a blue message prompting you to: “Click here to begin fulfilling your package.” You will then see a FREE ($0) option available until your credits run out. Place each selection in your cart and checkout. 6-Pack purchasers can only select virtual films. 8-Pack purchasers can redeem for in-person (max 2 ticket credits) or virtual films and events. We recommend you redeem your package credits early for tickets vs. waiting and picking as you go b/c some films have in-person and/or virtual attendance caps and may sell out.
In-Person Screenings
Box office and theater doors open 30 minutes before showtimes. Pass holders get priority seating guaranteed up to 15 minutes before the showtime. Package holders must redeem credits for tickets in advance (recommended) or at the box office to be guaranteed entry. Please review our SJFF Box Office + Venue Policies and the SJCC Welcome Back page for current venue policies.
Your purchase receipt will contain either print-at-home or mobile tickets. Please print in advance or have them ready to scan on your mobile device. Pass holders must pick up their physical pass and bar code at our box office for theater entry.
Virtual Screenings
Your virtual ticket provides access to watch the films one time on a single device. If others plan to watch the film from other devices or locations, additional tickets will be needed. Please purchase a Household Ticket if two or more people will be watching from home together. If you receive a free ticket from someone else, you will need to enter the voucher code here to watch.
Check the SJFF program guide or website for a list of virtual films and streaming dates. Once you start watching a film, you have 48 hours after hitting play to complete it. You may start, stop, rewind, and fast-forward, as long as you continue watching on the same device (and in the same location/Wi-Fi). You cannot watch the film more than once nor past the 48-hour cutoff period. Virtual ticket sales end at 10 pm on the last day of the festival. All virtual films expire on the last day of the festival at 11:59pm. There are no grace periods, so please plan accordingly.
After purchasing a virtual ticket, you will receive an order confirmation email, containing instructions to access your film when it becomes available for streaming or with a “watch now” link if it is already available. If this is your first time purchasing, you will be prompted to set up a login and password. This will enable you to create a patron account login and password to access film watch links. If you do not receive the confirmation email(s), please check your spam or junk mail for “Seattle Jewish Film Festival” or “Elevent” (from sender donotreply@mail.goelevent.com). If you still cannot locate the email(s), log in to your patron account to confirm the transaction was processed and view your order history. You can also find any live watch links here for films that are already streaming. Need help, contact boxoffice@sjcc.org or call 206-388-0833 (during regular business hours). It may take us 24 hours to reply.
For ticket + package holders:
Ticket purchasers and package holders who have redeemed for a ticket will receive a virtual access email one (1) hour before a virtual film is available to watch online. It will contain a “View SJFF Online” link. When the film viewing window opens, click the link to start streaming. If you purchase a virtual film that is currently streaming, your order confirmation will contain a live watch link so you can start watching right away. Once you hit play, you have 48 hours to watch on one device. If you did not receive a virtual access email, check your spam or junk mail folder for “Seattle Jewish Film Festival” or “Elevent” (from sender donotreply@mail.goelevent.com). Still can’t locate the email(s)? Contact boxoffice@sjcc.org for help.
For pass holders:
Pass holders can access all virtual films in the festival by logging into the Virtual Screening Portal, with their patron account email/password, or through the Elevent TV app on their SmartTV. Login with your patron account (email/password) under “passholder” to access streaming films with a live, “watch now” play button
If purchasing a ticket for someone else, simply forward your confirmation email with the voucher code to the gift recipient. They can enter it on the Virtual Screening Portal to watch the film (as long as they reside in the geographic region for that film screening; see below). Voucher codes also allow ticketed patrons to enjoy films on their Smart TV through the Elevent TV app (available on Roku or AppleTV, details below).
Due to caps on the number of views permitted, virtual screenings have capacity limits and can sell out. We encourage package holders to purchase/redeem tickets early to prevent missing out.
Some filmmakers and distributors dictate the geographic region where their film may be viewed, so it varies from film to film. Geo-blocking (geographical parameters) will be specified by a ticketing system warning upon purchase. Many films are restricted to Washington state. Some have no restrictions. Location is determined by your device’s IP address (where you are watching from) not your billing/mailing address.
Sorry, no. Your 48-hour viewing window begins once you hit play, and all streaming films expire on Sunday, March 17, at midnight. Please plan time accordingly. Unfortunately, we cannot make any exceptions once the viewing window expires.
We love to program and showcase short filmmakers, and highly recommend our shorts package, and in some cases, your feature film will include a short film. Upon purchase, you will automatically receive notification of both films in a confirmation and/or virtual access email, and for pass holders, this will show up on your virtual watch page. Enjoy – same streaming window rules apply!
Check each film event page for in-person and virtual programming information and schedules. If a film includes a Zoom program, all ticket purchasers and pass holders will be automatically registered for the event, and will receive a Zoom reminder email one (1) hour prior with an registration link and instructions to join the Zoom program by computer or phone. Only registered purchasers will receive the Zoom invitation. If you purchased tickets for others you may forward the registration email to them. Visit the Zoom Help Center for troubleshooting and additional video tutorials
Troubleshooting + Tech Tips
The following tips are meant to help acclimate customers to the SJFF Virtual Cinema streaming platform, chosen for ease of virtual film delivery. We are able to support issues with ticketing and streaming access but we cannot support individual device and Internet challenges. Please first try the troubleshooting steps mentioned in our FAQ, and if you still need help, email boxoffice@sjcc.org with details and your phone number. We will do our best to get back to patrons in 24-48 hours. Please identify the film and issue in the subject line. Don’t panic!
- Computers: PC running Windows 7+ or Mac running OS 10.12+.
- iPad or iPhone: Any iPad or iPhone using Safari on iOS 11.2 or later. Note: you must have “Screen Mirroring” turned OFF for content to play.
- Android tablet or phone: Any tablet or phone using Chrome on Android 6.0 or later.
- TV using an HDMI cable: Watch a quick video to learn how to connect your laptop to your TV.
- Roku: Download the EleventTV app, then enter your film voucher code (sent in your Virtual Access email) to unlock and watch your VOD film through this device.
- Using Chromecast: Select the cast button on the bottom right-hand side of the player.
- Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. We recommend using the latest version of your chosen browser.
- If you have a private VPN network at home, you must turn it off or your video will not play.
- For more information, visit the Elevent streaming FAQ.
Bandwidth is often the culprit. If your internet connection is poor or inconsistent, you may experience problems during playback. Before viewing, we recommend you close all competing apps/browsers/devices, and then launch a singular window/app for film viewing. Competing household users will slow Wi-Fi down too. Try moving closer to your router, try a different browser, or clear your browser cache. If you are getting slower speeds, try resetting your internet router or contacting your internet provider’s technical support.
You can watch films either through the EleventTV app (available only on Roku) or online. Ticket holders will receive a Virtual Access email and can click that link or they can log into their account to access that link and Pass holders can log into their account to access all films on a Virtual Watch Portal.
Our friends at the Austin Jewish Film Festival are using the same virtual delivery platform (Elevent) and have created some great instructional videos on how to order a film and how to use the Elevent TV app (available on Roku and Apple TV devices). Click here to watch their video demonstrations and get answers to some frequently asked questions.
