FAQ’s, Accessibility, Code of Conduct

What is the 40th Anniversary Hanukkah Celebration? 
The 40th Anniversary Hanukkah Celebration is an 8-day festival experience intended to celebrate and recognize the 40 year history of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival as well as all of the sucessful Jewish Film Institute's programs and initiatives. The event consists of an opening night at the Drive-In, and online film screenings and events offered to our audiences throughout the week of Hannukah -  December 10-17, 2020. Film screenings will include special live and pre-recorded intros, Q&A’s, Zoom conversations and celebrations that will provide an opportunity for our community to come together.

Why does the film/ticket say Thursday December 10, 2020 12:00 a.m.? 
This is the start time for all streaming films. They will be available starting 12:00am on Thursday December 10th all the way through 11:59pm on December 17th.

How Can I Purchase Tickets?

Tickets are available on the individual film pages, in the upper-right corner where it says BUY TICKETS.

I still have questions. Who can I contact?
Email boxoffice@jfi.org or call the Box Office at (415) 621-0568. Tickets and memberships can be purchased over the phone with the Box Office between 11am-5pm, Monday-Friday. 

I have a promo/voucher code to use.

• Click on the Buy Tickets button for the film or item you'd like to purchase, and then click in the pop-up window where it says "Know a Promotion Code?"
• Enter your promotion or voucher code and then reselect the newly created ticket price from the list of options
• Check out as normal

Ticket Delivery

How do I pick up the tickets/passes I purchased?

Once your order is completed, the following delivery methods will be available for your selection:

E-Delivery/Print at Home for online purchases. Drive-in tickets will arrive as an attachment to the confirmation email you will receive completion of your order. Tickets may either be printed at home or presented on a mobile device to gain entry. 

Streaming. Clickable link to view the films is included in the body of the confirmation email sent after reservation/purchase is finalized.  Haven't received a confirmation email? Please check the junk or spam folder of your inbox. If the confirmation email remains elusive, contact boxoffice@sfjff.org to request a resend of the confirmation email. 

JFI Membership

Our diverse membership community makes JFI's year-round and SFJFF programs possible. Membership starts as low as $60 and includes pre-sale access to all events, exclusive invitations year-round, significant discounts on passes and tickets, and much more.

How do I become a member?
Join online!

How do I renew my membership?
You can renew any of the following ways:

• Renew online!
• Call us at (415) 621-0568

Does my membership count toward tickets to the 40th Anniversary Hanukkah Celebration?
We are extending all membership benefits through December of 2020 for all programs, whether presented in July or later.

How are my member benefits changing? 
Most membership benefits remain the same, including early access to ticket sales and discounted tickets. Please consult the Membership Page for details. 

Can online screenings sell out?  
They may. Just as with our in-cinema screenings, there are often capacity limits, established by film distributors and producers, that we are obliged to adhere to. So, getting your tickets early (a member benefit!) is a good idea.

Who do I contact if I have an issue?
You can email our Box Office at boxoffice@jfi.org or call 415-621-0568 

Note: Technical details about online screening (streaming platforms, how to use links and passes, what kinds of registration or passwords are required, etc.) will be answered closer to the screening dates.

Rules

All Parking is General Admission
Tickets are general admission, there is no assigned parking. Staff will do their best to accommodate all vehicles. For sightline reasons, taller vehicles such as SUVs will be parked towards the rear of the venue so as not to block the views of smaller cars.

Late Arrivals
In order to ensure all patrons have an enjoyable experience please arrive early. Any late arrivals, 20 minutes after the showing has begun, will not be permitted into the event. Tickets are non-refundable and are not exchangeable.

Restroom Use 
When patrons exit their vehicles to use the restroom facilities, they must wear a mask at all times and adhere to protocols laid out by restroom docents, e.g., one person at a time in the restroom, 6ft apart in lines, etc.

Occupancy for Vehicle 
Each vehicle may only be occupied by members of the same household who have already been in close contact with each other.

Headlights 
Car headlights must be turned off during the film. Prior to arrival, please locate how to manually turn car headlights off.

There will be ZERO tolerance for those not complying with the above. Guests who cannot or will not comply will be asked to leave the premises and no refunds will be given.

Health & Safety Guidelines

 Masks will be required by all attendees over the age of 2 when outside of the vehicle. Mask with exhalation valve are not allowed 
 Parking spaces are distanced by 6 feet to promote and maintain social distancing.
 Attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles when not using the restroom facilities or purchasing from concessions. 
 Restroom facilities will be regularly cleaned and sanitized.
 Concessions will be marked with all socially distant signage and enforced.
 Please follow socially distance requirements at all times including concessions and bathrooms. Attendees who fail to follow safe distancing at the request of staff will cause the attendee to be subject to ejection of the event. No refunds given.

FAQ

Tickets at the door? 
For safety reasons, we are limiting ticket sales to online only. 

Mask?
You will need your mask at all times when you are not in your vehicle. This accounts for restroom use, concession purchasing, or leaving the footprint of your vehicle for any reason.

Film Audio? 
Audio will be broadcasted through FM stereo sound that is tuned directly through your car’s FM stereo. Turn your key to accessory mode to keep your stereo on. If you don’t have an FM stereo, please bring a portable radio--there are limited numbers available for use at the event. In the rare instance that your battery dies, we will have jumper cables to get you on your way.

Entry for parking? 
FMCAC will allow cars to enter starting 60 minutes prior to the screening time.

Bathrooms?
Bathrooms are located in Building D (the long building flanking the right-side of the parking area).

Concessions?
OFF THE GRID is providing food truck options! More information coming soon.

Sitting in the back of our car with the trunk open?
We will try to accommodate these requests. Please inform our parking staff on arrival if you would like to do so. You must remain within the footprint of your vehicle at all times.

Can I bring chairs and sit outside of my car?
No, you must stay within your car footprint at all times.

Do I have to watch an online screening at the listed start time? 

Your online ticket allows you access to screen the film program at any time during the 8-day celebration starting 12:01AM on December 10th. 

How do I watch a Q&A's for a film?
The Q&A will automatically play in the Digital Screening Room following the film.

Can I watch online screenings from anywhere? 
The 40th Anniversary Hanukkah Celebration online film screenings are available to patrons in California, or in some cases, just the Bay Area. The conversations, celebrations and Q&A’s are open to all.

Can I stop and start while screening? 
You may interrupt your screening, as long as you complete your viewing by December 17th.

How do I buy a ticket?
Tickets for individual films are available for purchase directly from the film pages or the Event Lineup page. The Stories She Tells conversation and the Q&As are free of charge as a service to the community (Q&As will be made available after the event). The 40th Anniversary Hanukkah Celebration is also free of charge. Please consider a special anniversary gift in order to ensure that JFI can continue to bring you ongoing and future programs. Tickets for the Drive-In film can only be purchase online, printed out at home and placed in the window of your car.

CAN I WATCH ON MY TELEVISION?

Chromecast – With a Google Chromecast device, you can 'cast' directly to your television from any compatible app or device. Chromecast is built into many smart tvs, and also available as additional hardware.

• You can stream films on Chromecast by 'casting' from your smartphone, tablet, or computer on the same Wi-Fi network. For information on using your Chromecast, click here. 

 
AirPlay – Screen sharing is available using your Apple AirPlay enabled device or SmartTV (most Samsung TVs). Instructions for screen sharing from an Apple device using your Apple TV using AirPlay can be found here. 

 
HDMI Cable – Using a special cable available at many stores, you can connect your computer or mobile device to your television. 

• If you have a laptop or nearby computer with an HDMI port, you can connect it directly to your television, using it as a second or external monitor. Some laptops or computers require special adaptors or dongles to connect to the HDMI cable. The details will depend on your setup. We recommend referencing your television and computer manuals for more information. 

A NOTE ABOUT GEOBLOCKING

With the shift to online, the Jewish Film Institute has had to create new digital agreements with filmmakers and distributors, and those agreements included limiting online streaming access to California for several film titles. This is called geo-blocking. Streaming is geo-blocked to California, and in some cases just the Bay Area, so you will need to be within the state to stream those films. 

Jewish Film Institute (JFI) welcomes a diversity of opinion and ideas at our events. In doing so, JFI is committed to providing our audiences, guests, and partners an experience that is free of harassment and discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender performance, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, class, age, or ability. JFI has a zero tolerance policy regarding harassment, threatening behavior, rule breaking, and violence for any reason. We reserve the right to revoke, without notice or refund, tickets, passes, credentials, or access to JFI  events and venues. Our aim is to create a safe and welcoming environment for all who wish to attend the screenings and other events that are part of the 40th anniversary event.