Streaming Films will be accessible via our virtual streaming portal.

For Laptops/Desktops/Phones/Tablets:

For accessing virtual screenings and events: (taken from confirmation email)

• Your access link will be emailed to you 1 hour before your showtime/watch window opens or shortly after your purchase if already available to stream.
• If you do not receive an email, check your mailbox and spam folder for ‘Chicago International Film Festival’ or donotreply@mail.goelevent.com.
• Alternatively, access the link at showtime from your Elevent order history page. Log in, and you will see a view button displayed with your order details.
• You may also access the screening at showtime from our virtual streaming portal. When you receive your virtual access link email 1 hour before showtime, you will receive a unique voucher code. Enter this in the Ticket Holders space on the virtual streaming portal to access your screening.

For TVs:

Download our dedicated “Chicago International Film Festival” app for Roku or AppleTV (Gen 4 and above)

In your browser, navigate to watch.chicagofilmfestival.com

System Requirements:
PCs running Windows 7+
[Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera.  Note: Internet Explorer is NOT suppored.]

Intel-based Macs running macOS 10.12+
[Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera]

In your browser, navigate to watch.chicagofilmfestival.com

System Requirements:
Android: use Chrome on Android 6.0 or later
iPhone/iPad: use Safari on iOS 11.2 or later [screen mirroring is not supported, set to OFF]

Note: You cannot use a lightning to HDMI adapter to connect to your TV. Try using AirPlay instead if you have a compatible TV or streaming box.

To stream the films you purchased tickets for, you’ll need to download our festival channel from the Roku Channel Store.

You can add Roku channels on the Roku device homepage, from your Roku app, or from your Roku account online. Find ADD CHANNELS and search “CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.” Navigate to the channel icon and press ADD CHANNEL. The Chicago International Film Festival channel will be added to Roku devices listed under your account.

Once installed, all you need is the 9-digit voucher code which will be emailed to you prior to the event’s screening. Enter this code on The Chicago International Film Festival Roku Channel and you will be able to stream the event!

At this point, you are all set and ready to enjoy the festival’s programming!

JUST NEED TO INSTALL THE FESTIVAL CHANNEL TO YOUR ROKU DEVICE?

To stream films you purchased tickets for, just go to the Roku Channel Store and search: CHICAGO INTL FILM FESTIVAL.

Navigate to the icon with our logo and press ADD CHANNEL. Once installed, you just need to open up the channel on your device and enter the 9-digit voucher code sent to your email address sent by us! Press SUBMIT and your film will begin streaming to your television!

 

EXTRAS

You can control your Roku device from your smartphone! Just download the Roku mobile app and follow the instructions to pair with your device. Once set up, you can:

• Use it as a convenient second remote
• Search with your voice or mobile keyboard
• Enjoy private listening with connected headphones
• Stream free TV on The Roku Channel anytime, anywhere
• Cast videos, music, and photos to your TV

Your Roku device is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant!

 

TROUBLESHOOTING

In the event that you encounter issues with your Roku device or have questions about your device, here are some quick tips and FAQ  to help you navigate through the troubleshooting steps: https://support.roku.com/category/115001360548

Here is a quick installation video to set up your Roku Streaming Stick+

Airplay video from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

1. Connect your iOS device to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV.
2. Find the video that you want to AirPlay.
3. Tap . In some third-party apps, you might need to tap a different icon first. In the Photos app, tap , then tap
4. Choose your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV.

To stop streaming, tap in the app that you’re streaming from, then tap your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from the list.

 

Airplay video from your Mac

1. Connect your Mac to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV.
2. On your Mac, open the app or website that you want to stream video from.
3. In the video playback controls, click .
4. Select your Apple TV or smart TV.

Ensure that mirror screen is disabled as it will cause the stream to be disrupted/unable to play on your television.

 

How to download apps on your Apple TV

1. Turn on your Apple TV device and open the App Store using your remote. Please make sure your device has installed all the updates!
2. Select the App Store.
3. Once you’re in the App Store, search for the Chicago International Film Festival app by selecting magnifying glass icon in the top-right and typing in “Chicago International Film Festival” Festival”
4. In the app’s screen, click on “Get” to download it.
5. Click “Get” again.

Once downloaded, the new app will show up on your Apple TV home screen. Open up the app on your device and enter the 9-digit voucher code sent to your email address sent by us! Press SUBMIT and your film will begin streaming to your television!

Streaming simply refers to watching a film over your internet connection (instead of downloading a file to your computer). It’s immediate and available on demand with any device that is connected to the internet. Any time you watch something on Netflix or YouTube, you’re streaming.

Your access link will be emailed to you 1 hour before your showtime/watch window opens or shortly after your purchase if already available to stream.

If you do not receive an email, check your mailbox and spam folder for ‘Chicago International Film Festival’ or donotreply@mail.goelevent.com.

Alternatively, access the link at showtime from your Elevent order history page. Log in, and you will see a view button displayed with your order details.

You may also access the screening at showtime from our virtual streaming portal. When you receive your virtual access link email 1 hour before showtime, you will receive a unique voucher code. Enter this in the Ticket Holders space on the virtual streaming portal to access your screening.

There are three methods to watch films on your TV:

• Download our dedicated “Chicago Intl Film Festival” app for Roku or AppleTV (Gen 4 and above)
• Cast from a computer or Android phone/tablet using the Chrome browser to a Chromecast device
• AirPlay from a computer, iPhone or iPad to an AppleTV (Gen 2 and above) or to any Smart TV bearing the “AirPlay” badge

ON TV:

Download our dedicated app on Roku or AppleTV (Gen4 and above).

Cast from a computer or Android phone/tablet using the Chrome browser to a Chromecast device.

Airplay from a computer, iPhone, or iPad to an AppleTV (Gen 2 and above) or to any Smart TV bearing the “AirPlay” badge.

ON COMPUTER:

PCs running Windows 7+
[Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera. Note: Internet Explorer is not supported.]

Intel-based Macs running macOS 10.12+
[Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera.]

ON IPAD + TABLET:

iOS devices (iPhone, iPad)
Use Safari on iOS 11.2 or later. Screen mirroring is not supported, ensure it is turned OFF in your device settings.

Android devices
Use Chrome on Android 6.0 or later.

We have endeavored to ensure that films have either closed or open captioning when possible.

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.

Open captions cannot be turned off.

No, you do not need to download and install an app to watch, but you can access films via the Chicago International Film Festival channel on Roku or Apple TV.

Please check for a system update. Navigate to Settings -> System -> Systems Update.

You can Chromecast from a Chrome web browser on PC and Mac computers as well as Android devices by selecting the cast button in the bottom right-hand side of the player.

Note: Due to licensing agreements, it is not guaranteed that you will be able to Chromecast from an iOS/Mac device

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.

You likely have “Screen Mirroring” turned on in your device settings. Please turn off the screen mirroring setting and start AirPlay by selecting the AirPlay button () in the bottom right-hand side of the player

This is likely a casting issue. Play all pre-show content on your device (laptop/phone/tablet). Once the film starts, cast to your TV.

A watch window is how long you have to watch a film once you hit ‘PLAY’. Watch windows vary according to film and event. Please check the screening’s event page for the exact watch window for your screening.