How to Fest (Virtually)

The Virtual Festival Explained

The festival has moved online this year in response to COVID-19 and the need to socially distance. We know this may be your first experience attending a Virtual Festival. Here’s how to make the most of your experience.

1. Choose What to Experience

First, explore all that is happening during the festival and decide what you want to attend.

Films on Demand

Watch one or more films on your own schedule from festival opening to festival closure.

Filmmaker Q&As

After watching the film, join us for a discussion with the filmmakers where you can submit questions. All sessions will be recorded for online viewing until the festival is over.

Panels & Workshops

Live and recorded panels on special topics, or join an online workshop to hone your craft.

Socially Distant Screenings

A limited number of seats, spread out inside the auditorium, are available. Some screenings will be live streamed online so you can join from home.

Watch Parties

Watch and chat online with friends for a more social viewing experience.

Drive-ins

Watch films outdoor in your vehicle. Subject to the weather.

2. Decide How To Participate

Once you’ve decided what you want to do, you can choose individual tickets, passes to experience more of the festival, or become a member to both support and experience the festival and our year-round programming.

Tickets

Purchase an individual ticket to the Films, Panels, and Workshops you want to experience.

Browse & Buy

Passes

Purchase a pass to view all the films only, or view all the films and attend all panels and workshops.

Buy

Memberships

Join or Renew your membership now to apply member benefits today.

Join or Renew

No matter which you choose, your access to the festival will begin on the noon, Monday, November 30th and end at midnight on Saturday, December 12th.

3. How to Watch & Join

Pass Holders

After you purchase your pass, you’ll immediately see a link to access the Elefest Online viewing portal (virtual.goelevent.com). You will also receive an email with your invitation to join the viewing portal.

You may be asked to set a password on the viewing portal. Whenever you return to the viewing portal or login with the password you created, you’ll have access to all the films your pass grants you access to.

You are always welcome to visit the virtual events listing on Elevent–any passes and tickets you have will direct you to the viewing portal as well. At the top, you will see your own link as a passholder. Just click to start watching.

Ticket Holders

After you buy tickets, if your film or event is immediately available to watch or join, you will see a button that takes you there. You’ll also receive an email with a button you can click to join.

The button you’ll see after purchase

The virtual access email you will receive after purchase.

If you buy tickets in advance, but the film or online event isn’t yet available–great! One hour before the event becomes available, you will receive your virtual access email and Join button.

Don’t want to wait for the email? No problem–visit the virtual events listing on Elevent or your Order History–any tickets you already have will direct you to the view or join page for that film or event.

Where to Get Help

If you have any pre-purchase questions or need help confirming your online purchase, you can chat with us live by clicking on the blue bubble towards the bottom of the screen.

If you need help watching or joining an event on your home devices, please first review this FAQ. If this doesn’t resolve your problem, please initiate a live chat and we’ll help you troubleshoot the issue.

Accessing Your Virtual Event

When will I have access to my virtual event or live stream?

You will receive a Virtual Access email to the email address used to purchase your ticket. If the virtual event is already available for viewing, you will be presented with a link on the order confirmation screen immediately after purchase to start watching. When the virtual event begins at a scheduled date and time, you will receive the Virtual Access email one hour before the virtual event.

You can also access your virtual content on the event organizer watch page by entering your voucher code. The voucher code is in your Virtual Access email. Please contact the event organizer if you do not know the URL for the watch portal.

I can’t find my Virtual Access email, what do I do?

Be sure to check spam and junk folders. Search your mailbox using the name of the organization that you purchased from, or the email address donotreply@mail.goelevent.com

I can’t find the virtual event access email?

You can access the virtual event from your Elevent Account on the Order History page. Click HERE for direct access. If not logged in, you will need to login first. You will see a view button displayed with the order details. as well as the voucher code for the event.

I don’t see the view button on my order history page, what do I do?

The view button will appear at the scheduled date and time for the virtual event. If you believe the virtual event should be available for viewing and is not, please contact the event organizer directly.

Watching Your Virtual Event

What are the system requirements?

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.

Do I need to download an app to watch?

No, you do not need to download and install and app to watch. You may download the Elevent TV app on Apple TV or Roku devices and unlock the films you purchased with the voucher code you received in the Virtual Access email you receive.

What are the requirements for Windows computers?

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.

What are the requirements for Mac computers?

Mac OSX 10.12 or later

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

Can I watch content on my iPhone/iPad?

Yes, you can watch content using Safari on iOS 11.2 or later. Please note that you must have “Screen Mirroring” turned off for content to play.

Can I watch content on my Android Device?

Yes, you can watch content using Chrome on Android 6.0 or later.

Can I Chromecast content?

You can Chromecast from a Chrome web browser on PC (Windows) computers as well as Android devices by selecting the cast button in the bottom right-hand side of the player. Google Chrome on iOS does not support DRM playback; you will not be permitted to cast from Chrome on an iOS device.

Can I AirPlay to my AppleTV?

You can AirPlay from most browsers if you have Apple TV by selecting the cast button on the bottom right-hand side of the player.

What happens if I forget my password?

Use the password reset option on the login page at virtual.goelevent.com to reset your password. You will need access to the e-mail address you use to log in.

Why does video playback stall or 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 weak or inconsistent, you may experience problems during playback. If you’re on wifi, try moving closer to your router.