2021 Boston Jewish Film Festival – FAQ

Below is information that will help you through the fall festival experience. For further assistance, please email our help desk at info@bostonjfilm.org. When sending us an email, include your name and phone number in the subject line.

ACCESSIBILITY, COMMUNITY STANDARDS & HELP DESK

Notes on Accessibility

  • All international films are subtitled.
  • All live events and Q&As will include live captioning.
  • Please direct any questions about accessibility to info@bostonjfilm.org.

The small but mighty Boston Jewish Film team is committed to providing a pleasant viewing experience for the audience. Please be patient if there are delays in responses to any questions/comments and know that we will respond as soon as we are able to.

In accordance with our Community Standards, Boston Jewish Film will suspend service to audience members exhibiting disruptive, inappropriate, or disrespectful behavior toward staff. Our Community Standards include: treating staff and guests with respect; verbal, online and/or physical threats will not be tolerated. We respectfully request that online conversations be polite and relevant.

Community Standards have been adopted by Boston Jewish Film to help our organization and the entire festival community build a safe and supportive environment in which we can all continue to connect through our unique film programming and events.

Monday-Thursday: 9 am-4 pm ET
Friday: 9 am-3 pm ET

Please send all inquiries to info@bostonjfilm.org.

TICKETING

How to purchase your Boston Jewish Film Festival tickets.

General Admission (For Virtual Films) – $13

  • There is a $2.00 processing fee per ticket ($15 total).

Group Sales (10 Ticket minimum): $11

    • There is a $2.00 processing fee per ticket. ($13 total) Contact info@bostonjfilm.org to coordinate group tickets.

Special virtual live event “School Ties: The Real Story Behind the Scenes” – $34 

  • There is a $2.00 processing fee per ticket ($36 total).
  • Not eligible for Group Sales rate

Click HERE to view film list and purchase tickets.

Click HERE for a step-by-step on how to purchase tickets.

All-Access Festival Pass: $360

  • Access all Boston Jewish Film Festival virtual screenings and events November 7-21, 2021. Easily view all films from home in Boston Jewish Film Festival’s digital screening room. Films may be viewed anytime during the Festival.
  • All-Access Passes are non-transferable and are valid for only one user login. There is a $4.00 processing fee per pass.
  • CLICK HERE to purchase your All-Access Festival Pass.

Click HERE for a step-by-step on how to purchase an All-Access Festival Pass.

Can I Get a Refund or Exchange a Ticket?

Once you have completed your purchase, refunds or exchanges are not available. Before completing your order, please check that your order is correct and that your system is compatible with streaming.

Yes, you need a Boston Jewish Film account. If you have ever purchased/registered for a ticket online to a Boston Jewish Film event you should already have an account. You can sign in with your email address or username. If you have forgotten your password, please follow the prompt to reset it. 

If you do not have an account, you will be asked to create one during the checkout process.  

Tip: Once you have set up an account, click  “remember me” so you stay signed in on your device.

A majority of 2021 Boston Jewish Film Festival virtual screenings are available to watch throughout the United States (with a valid US address in your account). For films only available to watch in Massachusetts*, you need a valid MA address in your account. 

*The following films are only available to watch within Massachusetts: 

The Adventures of Saul Bellow
The Chef (TV series)
Persian Lessons

WHY? Boston Jewish Film Festival has to geoblock films because of requirements from the filmmakers and film distributors. Most, if not all, virtual films have geoblocking restrictions. We are proud to be part of a large film festival community and to adhere to restrictions that help assure that other virtual film festivals across the country and abroad can expose their audiences to these films without having their attendance compromised.

Confirmation emails are sent automatically once your registration is complete. If you do not receive your email within a few minutes of completion, check your Spam and Junk Mail folders.  Please make sure you add info@bostonjfilm.org as a trusted source.

If you still do not see the email, log in to your account using your username and password.

Films are available to watch from November 7, 12:00am until November 21, 2021, 11:59pm EDT. Once you click “Watch Now” you will have 48 hours to watch.

VIEWING OPTIONS

How to watch virtual Boston Jewish Film Festival films.

After purchasing your ticket, go to the film page, choose the film, click “View More”  and then click “Watch Now”.

You may be required to sign in with your email address or username, and your password.

The ability to watch on your TV is not a guarantee.

WAYS TO WATCH

Computer

  • PCs running Windows 7+ Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera. Internet Explorer is not supported.
  • Intel-based Macs running macOS 10.12+ Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera

Viewing Tips: For best viewing, make sure to close any extra tabs in your web browser. If you have problems viewing in your usual browser, try another of the recommended internet browsers listed above.


TV

The ability to watch on your TV is not guaranteed.

  • HDMI – Use an HDMI cable to connect your computer directly to your television
  • Download our dedicated app “Boston Jewish Film” On Roku or AppleTV (Gen4 and above)
    • The app store for AppleTV is not the same as the app store for your other Apple devices.
  • ChromeCast from a computer or Android phone/tablet from a Chrome browser using 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

Phone / Tablet

  • iOS devices (iPhone, iPad) Use Safari on iOS 11.2 or later. Screen mirroring is not supported for watching our films. Ensure it is turned off in your device settings.
  • Android devices Use Chrome on Android 6.0 or later

The ability to watch on your TV is not a guarantee. 

If you have a laptop or computer with an HDMI port, you can use an HDMI cable to connect your computer to your TV, using it as a second monitor. You will need to have access to the back or side of your TV to check to see if your TV has an HDMI port and to make this connection.

Once connected, make sure the correct input source is selected on your TV. Your TV will then act as a second monitor for your computer.

When ready to watch films on your TV, you can either mirror your computer or use your mouse to drag the video window onto the TV screen.

Note: All TVs are different. Please check that your TV has HDMI input capabilities with your laptop/computer.

You can stream films using Apple AirPlay by screen sharing from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

  • Make sure your TV is on the same wifi network as the computer, phone, or tablet you are casting from. Click the “Watch Now” on the film page for the film you selected. 
  • Click on the bottom right of the video and select the AirPlay or Chromecast icon.
    • AirPlay: The icon looks like a rectangle with a triangle.
    • Chromecast: The icon is a rectangle with three curved lines Select your TV from the dropdown that pops up.
  • Turn off your VPN, if applicable – it can block viewing.

The ability to watch on your TV is not guaranteed. 

The Boston Jewish Film app is available on all versions of Roku and on Apple TV (Generation 4 or higher only)** 

  1. DOWNLOAD the Boston Jewish Film app
    1. To download the Boston Jewish Film app, search for “Boston Jewish Film” in either the Roku Channels app store or Apple TV app store and click “Get the App.”
    2. ATTENTION: APPLE TV IS A DEVICE. THE ROKU CHANNEL STORE OR THE APPLE TV APP STORE IS NOT THE SAME AS THE APP STORE ON YOUR IPHONE OR IPAD

Once you have downloaded the “Boston Jewish Film” app, go to the film page, log into your account and then choose any film, click “View More” and then click “Watch Now.”

When you are ready to stream, click “Watch On Another Device” at the top of your stream page. This will generate your unique 9-digit voucher code that you will enter on your Roku or Apple TV apps. Each film has a unique code. 

Open the Boston Jewish Film app on your Roku or Apple TV and enter the unique code to stream the film.

**Live Q&As and programs are unavailable on the Roku and AppleTV apps.

  • For step-by-step instructions on how to set up and watch on Apple TV, CLICK HERE.
  • For step-by-step instructions on how to set up and watch on Roku, CLICK HERE.

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.

Viewing Tip: For best viewing, make sure to close any extra tabs in your web browser. If you have problems viewing in your usual browser, try another internet browser (ex: Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, etc.) . Internet Explorer is not supported.

IN PERSON SCREENING

Information regarding the November 11 in-person screening at the Museum of Science.

This year’s Boston Jewish Film Festival includes an in-person film screening of Space Torah at the Museum of Science on November 11, at 6:30 PM.

Click here to register for this screening.

The Museum of Science is located at 1 Museum Of Science Driveway, Boston, MA 02114. Click here for Google directions to the venue.

All Boston Jewish Film staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated. Please practice social distancing, wear a mask, and have proof of full vaccination ready.

In accordance with the City of Boston, the Museum of Science, and the CDC, capacity at the Omni theater is limited and masks are required. For the most up to date information about the Museum of Science’s venue restrictions and regulations, click here.

LIVE PROGRAMS

Information regarding Boston Jewish Film Festival live programs.

This year’s Festival includes daily conversations with filmmakers, actors, special guests, and more! Your film ticket grants you access to the corresponding events and conversations. Want to see it all?  Purchase an All-Access Pass!

  • Individual tickets purchased include access to the corresponding live-streamed programs.
  • All-Access Passholders have access to all live-streamed programs.
  • Click HERE for a list of Live Programs.

Conversations and programs will take place on specific dates and times listed. Entry into programs is only available to pass holders or with the purchase of a ticket for that particular film.

Watch live events by clicking the link from your confirmation email or ticket account.

Moderated live Q+A’s with filmmakers and other special guests will be streamed through Zoom.

Live programs are not available on Roku or Apple TV.

Live programs will be streamed through Zoom. These events can be attended via computer, tablet, smartphone, or mobile devices. 

  • Find your film confirmation email. It will have the subject line: Boston Jewish Film Order Confirmation
  • Your confirmation email will contain a link to attend the Live Q+A, along with the date, time, and guest speakers. 
  • On the scheduled date and time, click “Link to Live Program” in your confirmation email.
  • This will launch the Zoom software on your computer or mobile device. If you do not have Zoom installed, it will prompt you to do so.
  • When the event starts, you will join the Live Program and be able to see and hear guest speakers.

Audiences will be able to type in questions and questions will be selected by the moderator. Some audience members may also be asked to “Join the Panel” to ask their questions on the screen.

VOTING FOR YOUR FAVORITE FILM

Help choose the audience award winners by rating each Festival film you watch. Rate films based on a 5 star rating (1=worst, 5=best).

At the end of each film screening, click HERE to go to the Festival Voting page.

You will need to be logged in to your ticket purchasing account to rate the films you have watched.