HOW TO HIFF

Below are FAQs and How To videos that we hope may help with any issues you might have

If you have additional questions or issues not covered here, please contact us using our website chat or phone.
Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 9 PM HST.

All other hours, email us with questions. Be sure to include details such as browser type, operating system and screenshots if available. 

☎︎ +1 808-447-0577 | info@hiff.org 

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HOW TO WATCH HIFF FILMS ONLINE

PROGRAM AND BASIC FAQs

HIFF films will be streaming exclusively at watch.hiff.org and our streaming TV apps.

You must purchase a subscription, pass or ticket at hiff.org before going to the watch.hiff.org to gain access. An email confirmation will have direct links to watch on your laptop or mobile device. 

You can also download our “Hawaii International Film Festival” app on your Apple TV, Roku App, or Amazon device to view the films, you can login if you purchased a pass or enter your voucher # when purchasing a single film.

All HIFF films are noted in HST (Hawaii Standard Time) UTC/GMT -10 hours. Films that have limited availability are all listed in HST for the availability windows.

You can watch any online film at any time, unless specified. Most paid content is available during a specific window of time, so be sure to double check the availability before purchasing. If you purchased a pass you can login to watch them at any time, unless specified.

Yes, livestreams are recorded and made available on HIFF.ORG, HIFF’s YouTube Channel and the HIFF Facebook page. Pre-recorded Q&A’s are often available on the film’s bonus content page on watch.hiff.org.

During our festivals throughout the coming months, there may be select films offered in person at the theater, depending on local COVID-19 rules. Due to the social distancing measures, there will be limited seating and only current standards for capacity in the theater will be sold.  FACE COVERINGS  must be warn at all times during the movie.

There will be very limited seating to any in-person screenings at this point. We are selling the theater at 30% capacity to give people lots of space between parties. You will be ushered in first come first serve, with multiple seats between all parties. FACE COVERINGS to be warn at all time while at the theater. Please respect the 6 foot rule between people when exiting, getting concessions, or using the restroom.

The theater will be adhering to very strict sanitation standards as  between the screenings. Read more about their CinemaSafe guidelines here: https://www.consolidatedtheatresblog.com/2020/08/14/safety/

Consolidated Theatres is adopting a wide range of new policies and procedures for health and safety, following federal, state and local guidelines. Click here for a breakdown of what to expect when you visit the theater, and some things to remember before you arrive! Please note that at this time, no food or drinks are permitted to be consumed within our cinema.

TICKETING FAQs

You can purchase tickets by visiting the film page and clicking “Add to Cart” button in the ticketing section. You can then check out or add continue browsing.

You can sign-in using the “sign-in” function in the website header. If you’ve forgotten your password, you will be prompted to reset it.

If you purchased a pass you can login to watch them at any time for the entirety of the festival dates. If you purchased a single ticket to a particular film you have 72 hours from the time you click play.

No, all tickets must be purchased in advanced for in-person screenings. 

This depends on the film, but most films can be viewed more than once. Please note that if you purchased a pass it can only be logged into on one device at a time. Films can only be watched during the month that they are playing. 

HIFF SELECTS FAQs

HIFF Selects is the Hawai‘i International Film Festival’s exclusive online monthly screening program. Learn how to join here

HIFF Selects films will be streaming exclusively at watch.hiff.org.

You must purchase a subscription before going to the watch.hiff.org to gain access. The email confirmation will have direct links to watch on your laptop or mobile device. 

You can also download our HIFF Apple TV, Amazon FireTV or Roku App to view the films, you can login if you purchased a pass or enter your voucher # when purchasing a single film.

No, you don’t need to buy a subscription to watch an individual film, but the subscription comes with extra perks that you would not receive when just buying a single month’s film. Get more info about subscriptions

If you don’t have a monthly or yearly subscription, You can click “PURCHASE HERE” button under the film poster on the HIFF selects page to purchase an individual ticket. After purchase you will receive an email with instructions on how to view the film.

Films can only be watched during the month that they are playing. 

You can watch any film at any time during the month they are programmed.

Most films can be watched as many times as you want within the permitted time frame. If you purchased an individual ticket the film is only watchable for 72 hours from the time you purchased the title.

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.

TECH & SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

You can watch content on PCs running Windows 7+, and Intel-based Macs running macOSX 10.12+. You can also watch films on Android tablets and phones using Chrome, and on iPhones and iPads using Safari. You may also download our Apple TV and Roku apps for your smart tv as well. 

Windows 7+ 
Supported Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser. Internet Explorer is not supported.
macOS 10.12+
Supported Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser.
Android tablets and phones (Version 6.0+)
 Supported Browser: Google Chrome
iPhones & iPads (iOS 11.2+)
Supported Browser: Safari*
*Please note that you must have “Screen Mirroring” turned off for content to play.
Hawaii International Film Festival app on Apple TV, Roku or Amazon Fire App

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.

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.

One way to watch on your TV is by directly connecting your computer (or other devices) to your TV via HDMI cable. Here are guides on how to connect using a Mac or if using a PC.

We do offer an Apple TV, Roku and a Amazon Fire app for download if you would like, but it is not required. 

Apple TV App (Available only for Apple TV models Generation 4 and higher.)

  1. From your Apple TV device, launch the App Store.
  2. Search for the app Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) and install the app. Here’s how to download apps from the App Store to your Apple TV.
  3. Once the app is installed, it will ask you for a code to connect to your account.
  4. On your computer, navigate to watch.hiff.org and log in.
  5. When on the watch.hiff.org homepage, click the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner, select Watch on My TV, enter the code from your Apple TV device and follow the instructions.
  6. You must first unlock programs on your computer, tablet or smartphone to be able to watch them on your Apple TV.

 

Roku

  1. From your computer, tablet or smartphone, add the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) channel
  2. Click Yes, add channel to add HIFF to your account.
  3. Check your TV to see if the HIFF app has been added. Select the app with your TV remote to bring up the program on the app.
  4. Once the app is installed, on your computer, tablet or smartphone, navigate to watch.hiff.org and log in.
  5. When on the watch.hiff.org homepage, click the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner, select Watch on My TV, enter the code from your Apple TV device and follow the instructions.
  6. You must first unlock programs on your computer, tablet or smartphone to be able to watch them on your Roku.

 

Amazon Fire Stick

  1. Launch your Fire Stick and select the magnifying glass icon from the top menu.
  2. Using the directional pad, type in the name of an app.
  3. Then select the app from the list.
  4. Press the center button on your remote to select an app.
  5. Then select Get or Download.
  6. Wait for the download to finish and select Open to launch it.

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: At this time, Chromecast is not available to cast from Apple iOS devices, like the iPhone and iPad.

You can also stream directly from a tab in the Chrome internet browser to a TV connected to a Chromecast device from your Mac or PC computer. Once your Chromecast is set up you can stream directly from your computer.

  1. On the video page, open the Chrome menu in the upper right corner of the window (or the View menu) and select Cast. Make sure the tab you want to be displayed is the one you are selecting to cast.
  2. Select your Chromecast source (consider selecting Chrome tab) and your Chromecast destination. Chromecast will then be connected and video will be playing on your TV.
  3. To disconnect from Chromecast, click the blue Stop icon next to your casting destination.
  4. If there are any issues with the Chromecast stream, try setting the video to a lower quality.
  5. Still having trouble? Here’s a guide on how to use Chromecast from your computer.

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.

  1. Make sure your devices (iPhone, iPad, laptop, Apple TV or Smart TV) are connected to the same wifi network.
  2. Using the Safari browser on your Apple computer, iPhone or iPad, go to the AirPlay icon.
  3. Connect to your Apple TV by entering the code. Your device screen should appear as a mirror on your TV.
  4. If you are having audio sync issues when AirPlaying from your computer, try connecting from an iPhone or iPad.
  5. If you are trying to AirPlay to a Smart TV, you must first select the program you want to watch from your Apple device and then select the AirPlay button from within the player.
  6. Still having trouble? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use AirPlay.

 

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.

Most films don’t have closed captioning, if the film is not in English the film will have English subtitles, we have requested closed captioning for all english films from the distributors, unfortunately not all films can support closed captions.

You use the volume on your computer to control the volume of the current title you are watching.

TROUBLESHOOTING

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.

Here’s a list of solutions for various devices that should help fix playback issues.

  1. Make sure you have a fast and stable internet connection. You can check your internet speed here: https://www.speedtest.net/.
  2. If you are using AirPlay, try connecting from an iPhone or iPad rather than a laptop.
  3. If you are using Chromecast, make sure your device and Chromecast are on the same wifi network.
  4. Restart your computer or device, and TV. 
  5. Reboot your internet modem and/or wireless router.
  6. Log out of your account and then log back in.

 

  1. Are you logged into the correct account? Please check your login status. If you are logged in, you will see a circle with the initials of the account holder.
  2. Try clearing your browser’s cache and restarting it. Please also make sure you are using the latest, up to date version of a supported browser (listed above). 
  3. Disable any ad-blocking software, browser extensions and/or plugins + add ons as some of these are known to interfere with website functionality. Once done, close and reopen your browser and try visiting our website again. 
  4. If you are plugged into your TV via HDMI connection, try unplugging and replugging in the HDMI cable. 
  5. Restart your wireless router or modem. Power it off, then wait 20 seconds and turn back on.

 

You might receive an error message which prompts you to reset your device. Please click “reset device” for access to the system

Hawai‘i International Film Festival’s TV apps do not support closed captioning at this time, but we are hoping for that to be a development in the coming months. In order to watch certain films without included subtitles, you have to watch on the watch.hiff.org streaming service. Stay tuned for updates regarding our TV apps.

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