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Doc Stories > Doc Stories FAQ

Doc Stories FAQ

Doc Stories Overview

  • When is Doc Stories this year?

    The 2021 Doc Stories program will be presented November 4–7, 2021, both in-person and online. A select few streaming titles may be viewable through Monday, November 8.

  • Are there any in-person events?

    Yes! The 2021 Doc Stories program will have both streaming opportunities and in-person screenings at the Castro Theater and Vogue Theatre. Please read our COVID-19 Protocols FAQ section for more information about your safety at SFFILM events.

  • When will the program be announced?

    The 2021 Doc Stories program will be announced on Thursday, October 14.

  • What is the best way to see all the movies?

    The best way to attend Doc Stories is with a Cinevisa. This all-access pass includes all streaming content and admission to our in-person screenings.

Tickets

  • Why can’t I purchase a Ticket 6-Pack?

    Ticket 6-Packs are available exclusively to SFFILM Members until October 15, 2021. Visit the SFFILM Memberships page to learn more about the benefits of joining the SFFILM Community.

  • I purchased a membership, but do not see the member Ticket 6-Pack price option.

    Sign out and sign back into your account. This will refresh the web browser and update your record with any changes.

  • Can non-members attend Doc Stories?

    Of course! General Ticket 6-Packs will be available starting on October 15, 2021. If you’d like to secure access to Doc Stories before then, please consider becoming an SFFILM Member or purchasing a Doc Stories Cinevisa.

  • What can my Ticket 6-Pack be used for?

    The 2021 Doc Stories Ticket 6-Pack was designed to be flexible. By purchasing a Ticket 6-Pack, you can choose between in-person and streaming titles at Doc Stories.

  • When can I redeem tickets with my Ticket 6-Pack?

    Members can redeem tickets to Doc Stories starting on October 14, 2021. Non-members can purchase Ticket 6-Packs and begin redeeming tickets on October 15, 2021.

  • What is a Doc Stories Cinevisa?

    A Doc Stories Cinevisa is a pass that includes all streaming content and admission to our in-person screenings.

  • Will individual tickets be made available?

    Yes! Members can purchase individual tickets to Doc Stories starting on October 14, 2021, and Tickets will be available to the general public starting on October 15, 2021.

COVID-19 Protocol

  • Do you require proof of vaccination to attend in-person screenings?

    Yes. Ticket holders will be asked to present either a physical or digital copy of their COVID-19 Vaccination Record upon entering any in-person Doc Stories event. You can register for a digital copy of your vaccination record here: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/

  • What COVID-19 Safety protocols are in place?

    Your safety is our top priority. We will require all guests to show proof of vaccination before entering the theater. Masks must be worn throughout the entire event unless eating or drinking. We are monitoring city public health guidelines and recommendations regarding COVID-19 and may update safety protocols as needed leading up to the event. We anticipate that all screenings at the Castro Theater will have ample space for social distancing. We have increased the turnaround time between films to reduce crowding and to allow for a thorough cleaning of the theater. We ask that guests help keep each other safe and please stay home if you feel unwell or are experiencing any symptoms. If you prefer to watch films from the safety of your home, most films are available for streaming. Click here to see which titles are available to stream.

In-Person Screenings

  • Will tickets be available for purchase at the theater?

    Yes, if tickets are available, you may purchase them at the theater. For COVID-19 safety, box office transactions will be credit card only (no cash.)

  • I have a question about accessibility. Where can I go?

    You can read more about the accessibility of our venues here.

Streaming Restrictions

  • When do films become available online?

    Most films in the 2021 Doc Stories program are available both in-person and online. Films will become available online at 12:01 am the day after their in-person screening and be available for 24 hours.

  • Are all films in the program available to stream?

    The following films will only be screened in-person:

    Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Was Televised)

    Julia

  • Are there geographic restrictions limiting where a film can be viewed?

    Doc Stories films are only viewable in the state of California. Live talks and Q&As can be viewed from anywhere.

  • How long do I have to watch a streaming film?

    All films during Doc Stories are available for a 24 hour period, beginning at 12:01am the day after their in-person screening, and ending at 11:59pm. Regardless of what time you begin streaming a film on the day it becomes available during Doc Stories, it will become unavailable at 11:59pm that night.

  • Can I watch a film more than once over the Doc Stories weekend?

    You can watch as many times as you wish within your 24-hour viewing window. Your 24-hour viewing window starts once you click "Stream Film".

  • Can I stop watching and come back to my film later?

    Yes, but remember that you have 24 hours to finish the film from the time you hit "play".

  • Is Closed Captioning available for any streaming films?

    The following streaming films have closed captioning available:

    Attica

    Cusp

    The First Wave

    Lead Me Home

  • Will filmmaker conversations be available online?

    Q&As are only taking place at in-person screenings and will not be available online.

Technical Requirements

  • What are the system requirements to watch films?

    Here are the recommended system requirements for watching films on these devices:

    PC: Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10

    Mac: Mac OSX 10.12 or later

    Web Browsers: We recommend using the newest version of Google Chrome as your web browser. Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera are also supported. Internet Explorer is not supported.

    Roku: 3rd generation (2013) or newer

    Apple TV: 4th generation (2015) or newer

    iPhone/iPad: iOS 11.2 or newer, using Safari or Chrome

    Android: version 6.0 or newer

  • Can I use Roku, Apple TV, or FireStick to watch a screening?

    Yes! Here is an overview of how to set up your Roku, Apple TV, or FireStick to stream films.

    -Download the “SFFILM” app on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick

    -Manually enter the 9 Digit Ticket Code that appears below the film when streaming in your web browser.

    -You will be brought directly to the specific film’s event page. Click play to begin the film!

    -Repeat for any and all films you have purchased tickets for.

     

    *Please note we have received reports of Roku becoming unstable/incompatible with our streaming platform. While we continue to work on providing you a seamless viewing experience, Roku users may want to explore an alternative option for viewing films, such as connecting your computer to your television via an HDMI cable, or "casting" from a different device using Airplay or Chromecast.

  • Can I use AirPlay or Chromecast to watch on my TV?

    Yes! You can Chromecast from PC and Mac computers as well as from an Android device. Navigate here for a guide to using Chromecast or here for a guide to using AirPlay. You can AirPlay a film from an iPad or iPhone to an Apple TV as well.

  • Can I watch films and/or Q&As on my iPhone, iPad or android phone?

    Yes! You can watch films and live talks on iPhone/iPad using Safari or Chrome on iOS 11.2 or later. You can watch films and live talks on Android 6.0 or later.

  • What if the video playback stalls or does not play smoothly?

    We use adaptive bitrate streaming which means the streaming quality will automatically adjust based on your internet speed. If your internet connection is poor or inconsistent you may experience problems during playback. If you’re on wifi, try moving closer to your router.

  • What if my screen is black and I only hear audio? Or if I don’t even hear audio at all?

    Check that your system meets the minimum requirements listed above in the Technical Requirements section. Try using a different browser or device if possible, to see if the issue persists. If none of these work, talk to our staff from 10am to 11pm (PT) using the chat tool in the bottom right corner!

  • I am seeing "Playback Error" when I try to stream films on my computer. Help!

    This error happens in a Google Chrome browser means you need to do a “hard reload” of your system, see our directions below. If you are getting this error outside of Google Chrome, please talk to our staff from 10am to 11pm (PT) using the chat tool on our website.

    To do a “hard reload” in Chrome on a Mac:

    -In the menu at the top of your screen, go to View -> Developer -> Developer Tools

    -Now right click on the “refresh” icon in Chrome and you should see an option to “Empty Cache and Hard Reload”

    -Choose that option and now try streaming the film. It should work!

    -If that does not work for you, try a different web browser. For example, if you are using a Safari browser, try using Google Chrome or Firefox instead. If switching browsers does not work, try watching on a different device. For example, if the video is not playing on your iPad, try watching on a computer instead.

  • Can I cast from my iPad/iPhone to my TV using screen-mirroring?

    No. iPad & iPhone iOS doesn't support playback of encrypted video through screen-mirroring.

For any and all questions, please contact info@sffilm.org.

On this page:
  • Structure
  • Tickets
  • COVID-19 Protocol
  • In-Person Screenings
  • Streaming Restrictions
  • Technical Requirements

Contact
info@sffilm.org

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