Trouble with virtual ticketing or viewing a film online through our online portal? Please read the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions below to see if your question can be answered easily. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email piff@nwfilm.org.
Technical questions
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.
Yes 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.
You can AirPlay from most browsers if you have Apple TV by selecting the AirPlay button in the bottom right-hand side of the player.
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.
Some Chromecast versions cannot support transitions from one video to another. If this happens, turn off casting and restart it once the film starts playing.
Yes, you can. Simply download the Portland Int’l Film Festival app on your Roku or Apple TV and log in.
If you don’t have one already and wish to purchase one, you can buy a Roku device here or an Apple TV device here. Your Apple TV must be 4th generation or newer, and your Roku must be 3rd generation or newer.
You can also use your Chromecast device or AirPlay app to “cast” the website to your TV if you have enabled devices. (Note: screen mirroring is not permitted.)
You can also use an HDMI cord to connect your computer directly to your TV.
Use the password reset option on the login page to reset your password. You will need access to the e-mail address you use to log in.
Member discounts
- Northwest Film Center members at the Director level and higher will get a FREE Virtual Screening Pass.
- Members will also receive 10% off any PIFF pass AND $5 off tickets to Cinema Unbound Drive-In screenings.
Portland Art Museum members receive 10% off any PIFF pass AND $5 off tickets to Cinema Unbound Drive-In screenings.
Film access questions
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 from our watch page by entering your voucher code. The voucher code is in your Virtual Access email.
Absolutely. Follow the steps below.
- Purchase a ticket or pass at cinemaunbound.org
- Receive a confirmation of your order and receipt via email
- Decide how you want to watch:
- View online at watch.cinemaunbound.org OR
- Download the Portland Int’l Film Festival app on AppleTV or Roku
- Log in or follow the link in your confirmation email to access your movies
- Ticket holders: receive a link to watch their film. Follow the link or open the Portland Int’l Film Festival TV app (AppleTV or Roku) and submit your unique Voucher Code if prompted.
- Pass holders: receive a link to create an account on watch.cinemaunbound.org. Log in to your account at watch.cinemaunbound.org or on the Portland Int’l Film Festival TV app (AppleTV or Roku) to access all your films in one place.
- Begin streaming (festival dates 3/5/21-3/14-21 only).
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
You can also 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.
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.
While there are a select few films that can only be watched in Oregon based on distributor restrictions, the vast majority of our virtual programming can be watched from anywhere in the United States. Oregon-only films include:
- 200 Meters
- Adventures of a Mathematician
- Bitter Love
- Identifying Features
- Lorelei
- One of These Days
- Shiva Baby
- Slalom
- There is No Evil
- Yalda, A Night for Forgiveness
Unfortunately, this year’s festival is not accessible to viewers outside the US.
- Make sure that your gas tank is full. It is okay to run your car during the movie and keep your heat on!
- Make sure that you are able to turn your lights on and still run your car radio.
- For most folks, running their car radio for 2 hours is just fine on their car battery.
- We have a battery charger on-site in case your battery dies.
- Feel free to bring snacks to the movie!
- We recommend that you clean your windshield.
- Come close to the time gates open (5:30 pm) if you want to be up close.
Ticket/Pass questions
Tickets and passes are available to all U.S residents. A select few films are will only allow viewers in Oregon to access them, but the vast majority are watchable throughout the country.
Visit our pages to browse and get tickets. Once you find a film or event you like, click “Get Ticket” from the film/event webpage.
After purchasing a ticket, you will receive a second email with the link to the content when the film you selected becomes available to view. If you buy your tickets at any point when the video is available for viewing, you will immediately receive the email that will allow you to watch the film. If you don’t receive the film link, please make sure to check your junk folder or spam folder.
If you do not receive an email, check your mailbox and spam folder for the ‘Portland International Film Festival’ or donotreply@mail.goelevent.com.
Links to watch our films are usable by ONLY ONE device so you will not be able to share the links with other folks using other devices.
The majority of virtual titles will be available at 12:01 am on Friday, March 5 through Sunday, March 14. Some film titles and events have a limited watch window and this will be indicated on the film page. With the exception of these limited-window films, pass holders and ticket holders will be able to access films at any time during the festival.
Cinema Unbound Drive-In films happen at a scheduled time and can be viewed here.
Virtual screenings during the 44th Portland International Film Festival have a capacity limit similar to the amount of tickets that would be available for in-theater screenings. The number of tickets we have available for purchase are negotiated with representatives from each film, as these Festival showings are often the premiere of their film or a very early showing of the film and are therefore limited before the film’s official release.
Due to film capacity limits, virtual films are screening on a first-come-first-served basis. Pass holders will be able to screen any film that hasn’t reached its capacity limits. Unfortunately, our system doesn’t allow for pass holders to reserve a “seat” to any program, so there is the potential for certain films to reach their screening limit before pass holders watch. With this in mind, we recommend that pass holders watch their most-anticipated films at the start of the festival to avoid any heartache.
For events and films that take place at specific times, we recommend that passholders log in an hour early to secure their place.
Customer service and technical support for the Cinema Unbound Drive-In will be provided by Ticket Tomato.