BIFF Executive Director Greg Gerard and BIFF Board President Ana Kelly introduce this year’s online film streaming platform.
This is a recorded session provided to Film Society of Beloit members including questions and presented here for the general public.
While we have worked hard to make navigation and access as convenient and intuitive as possible, as with anything new we anticipate there will be questions.
BIFF Streaming Platform FAQ
Introduction
How It Works
- What is the BIFF Streaming Platform?
The BIFF Steaming Platform is an online viewing platform that allows users to rent and watch BIFF 2021 films on demand. - How does it work?
Start by creating an account or logging in to browse our full catalogue. To watch a film, hover over the thumbnail and click “Rent.” You will be prompted to enter your credit card number in the pop-up window. If you have a promo code, it can be entered in this window as well. You will be emailed a link to watch your rental, and your rental will appear in “My Library” shortly. You will have 48 hours from the point of purchase to watch your rental, and 5 days from the moment you click play to finish your rental, before it is removed from your Library.
Films, Schedule and Ticketing
- Can I watch films from anywhere in the world?
No. At the request of the rights holders, only those living in the U.S. will be able to watch films on the BIFF Streaming Platform. - Where can I view all available titles?
In the top-left corner of any page, click “Browse All” to see the list of our full catalogue. - How can I watch films with a friend?
If you wish to watch films with friends remotely, each person will need their own BIFF Streaming Platform account, and to purchase their own rental. You cannot rent a film and transfer access to another account.
Screenings
General Information
- Do I have to watch the films at a specific time?
No. Digital screenings are not live events, but may only be available for a limited period. - How long do I have to watch a film?
Once you’ve rented a film it will be available to watch in your Library for 5 days. Once you click play you have 48 hours to finish watching. Films can be played any number of times within this window. - Can I start a film and come back to it later?
Yes. Films can be paused and resumed at any point within your 48-hour watch window. - How long will each film be available on the BIFF Streaming Platform?
All BIFF 2021 films will be available throughout the entire 10-day festival from Fri. Feb. 19th through Sun. Feb. 28th, 2021.
Navigation
- What is the difference between “My List” and “My Library”?
Adding films to “My List” allows you to bookmark titles to watch later. This is not the same as renting a film. Films that you’ve pre-purchased will appear in “My Library”, along with any films that you purchase during the Festival. To remove a film from your List, hover over the title and click the checkmark next to “My List.” - How do I add to “My Devices” and is there a limit?
When you sign in on a device it is automatically registered to “My Devices.” You can edit or remove registered devices by clicking your name and selecting “My Devices” in the drop-down menu. Users may have up to 5 registered devices. - Where can I find my rental history?
Past rentals will still appear in your Library but will be marked “Expired.”
Payment & Refunds
- Can I save my payment information?
No. Credit card information cannot be stored in the BIFF Streaming Platform. BIFF prefers Visa. - What is your refund and exchange policy?
BIFF has a no-refund and no-exchange policy on BIFF Streaming Platform rentals.
Technical Information
System Requirements
- What are the system requirements?
You can watch on PCs running Windows 7+ and Intel-based Macs running macOS 10.12+. You can also watch on Android tablets and phones, and iPhones and iPads. You will need wifi (a broadband or fibre internet connection) — dial-up or cellular data will not work. You’ll find a complete list of requirements below. - What are the requirements for Windows computers?
Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Available on Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser as earlier versions may not be supported. You will need a broadband or fibre internet connection — dial-up will not work. - What are the requirements for Mac computers?
MacOS 10.12 or later. Available on Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser as earlier versions may not be supported. You will need a broadband or fibre internet connection — dial-up will not work.
Streaming Issues
- (From the platform developing company)
At this time Amazon Fire TV Stick and Roku are not compatible with the BIFF Streaming Platform.
That said, some folks have reported that they were able to get their Roku to stream the films.
Here is a short how-to video. (Your mileage may vary)
How to Mirror Windows PC to Roku - Can I use Chromecast?
Chromecast enables users with a mobile device or personal computer to play Internet-streamed audio-visual content on a television through mobile and web apps that support the Google Cast technology. Chromecast is not available from the mobile site. Full details regarding how to Chromecast can be found HERE, and through the Google help portal. - Can I use AirPlay?
You can AirPlay from your browser to your TV using an Apple device and AppleTV connected to your television. Full details regarding how to Airplay video and mirror your device’s screen can be found at HERE, and through the Apple help portal. - How can I watch from my TV?
Screen-mirroring your computer to your television or connecting your laptop to your television with an HDMI cable described above are the principal means to view on your TV. As a reminder, all screenings can be watched from a mobile device or computer, and it is not required that you have a television.If you have an Apple device, you can Airplay from your device’s browser to your Apple TV or other smart TV. For help using Airplay video and mirroring your device’s screen, please click HERE. For help using an HDMI cable, please click HERE for more information.
If you have a Windows or Android device, HERE is a helpful guide to get you started.
- I can’t stream any of the content. What’s going on?
Check your minimum system requirements above. We recommend that you update to the latest version of your browser. We use adaptive bitrate streaming, which means the streaming quality will automatically adjust based on your internet speed. For high-definition (HD) streaming we recommend VDSL, cable or fibre connections as we cannot guarantee consistent HD streaming on ADSL. - Why does video playback stall or not play smoothly?
If your internet connection is poor or inconsistent you may experience problems during playback. To resolve buffering issues, you can manually lower the video resolution by clicking “Auto” (next to the volume control) in the lower-right corner of the player window. - What if my screen is black and I only hear audio?
Please ensure your system meets the minimum requirements. As an anti-piracy initiative, the BIFF Streaming Platform will not work if you have a video sharing program open. Please make sure you have completely closed down all applications that have the ability to record your screen. This includes, but is not limited to Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facetime, or any other screen recording programs. If you were hoping to join a friend virtually to watch a film together, please ensure that neither of you are using one of the above devices from the same device you are streaming your film from.
BIFF Streaming Platform FAQ
Introduction
How It Works
- What is the BIFF Streaming Platform?
The BIFF Steaming Platform is an online viewing platform that allows users to rent and watch BIFF 2021 films on demand. - How does it work?
Start by creating an account or logging in to browse our full catalogue. To watch a film, hover over the thumbnail and click “Rent.” You will be prompted to enter your credit card number in the pop-up window. If you have a promo code, it can be entered in this window as well. You will be emailed a link to watch your rental, and your rental will appear in “My Library” shortly. You will have 48 hours from the point of purchase to watch your rental, and 5 days from the moment you click play to finish your rental, before it is removed from your Library.
Films, Schedule and Ticketing
- Can I watch films from anywhere in the world?
No. At the request of the rights holders, only those living in the U.S. will be able to watch films on the BIFF Streaming Platform. - Where can I view all available titles?
In the top-left corner of any page, click “Browse All” to see the list of our full catalogue. - How can I watch films with a friend?
If you wish to watch films with friends remotely, each person will need their own digital BIFF Streaming Platform account, and to purchase their own rental. You cannot rent a film and transfer access to another account.
Screenings
General Information
- Do I have to watch the films at a specific time?
No. Digital screenings are not live events, but may only be available for a limited period. - How long do I have to watch a film?
Once you’ve rented a film it will be available to watch in your Library for 5 days. Once you click play you have 48 hours to finish watching. Films can be played any number of times within this window. - Can I start a film and come back to it later?
Yes. Films can be paused and resumed at any point within your 48-hour watch window. - How long will each film be available on the BIFF Streaming Platform?
All BIFF 2021 films will be available throughout the entire 10-day festival from Fri. Feb. 19th through Sun. Feb. 28th, 2021.
Navigation
- What is the difference between “My List” and “My Library”?
Adding films to “My List” allows you to bookmark titles to watch later. This is not the same as renting a film. Films that you’ve pre-purchased will appear in “My Library”, along with any films that you purchase during the Festival. To remove a film from your List, hover over the title and click the checkmark next to “My List.” - How do I add to “My Devices” and is there a limit?
When you sign in on a device it is automatically registered to “My Devices.” You can edit or remove registered devices by clicking your name and selecting “My Devices” in the drop-down menu. Users may have up to 5 registered devices. - Where can I find my rental history?
Past rentals will still appear in your Library but will be marked “Expired.”
Payment & Refunds
- Can I save my payment information?
No. Credit card information cannot be stored in the BIFF Streaming Platform. BIFF prefers Visa. - What is your refund and exchange policy?
BIFF has a no-refund and no-exchange policy on BIFF Streaming Platform rentals.
Technical Information
System Requirements
- What are the system requirements?
You can watch on PCs running Windows 7+ and Intel-based Macs running macOS 10.12+. You can also watch on Android tablets and phones, and iPhones and iPads. You will need wifi (a broadband or fibre internet connection) — dial-up or cellular data will not work. You’ll find a complete list of requirements below. - What are the requirements for Windows computers?
Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Available on Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser as earlier versions may not be supported. You will need a broadband or fibre internet connection — dial-up will not work. - What are the requirements for Mac computers?
MacOS 10.12 or later. Available on Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser as earlier versions may not be supported. You will need a broadband or fibre internet connection — dial-up will not work.
Streaming Issues
- (From the platform developing company)
At this time Amazon Fire TV Stick and Roku are not compatible with the BIFF Streaming Platform.
That said, some folks have reported that they were able to get their Roku to stream the films.
Here is a short how-to video. (Your mileage may vary)
How to Mirror Windows PC to Roku - Can I use Chromecast?
Chromecast enables users with a mobile device or personal computer to play Internet-streamed audio-visual content on a television through mobile and web apps that support the Google Cast technology. Chromecast is not available from the mobile site. Full details regarding how to Chromecast can be found HERE, and through the Google help portal. - Can I use AirPlay?
You can AirPlay from your browser to your TV using an Apple device and AppleTV connected to your television. Full details regarding how to Airplay video and mirror your device’s screen can be found at HERE, and through the Apple help portal. - How can I watch from my TV?
Screen-mirroring your computer to your television or connecting your laptop to your television with an HDMI cable described above are the principal means to view on your TV. As a reminder, all screenings can be watched from a mobile device or computer, and it is not required that you have a television.If you have an Apple device, you can Airplay from your device’s browser to your Apple TV or other smart TV. For help using Airplay video and mirroring your device’s screen, please click HERE. For help using an HDMI cable, please click HERE for more information.
If you have a Windows or Android device, HERE is a helpful guide to get you started.
- I can’t stream any of the content. What’s going on?
Check your minimum system requirements above. We recommend that you update to the latest version of your browser. We use adaptive bitrate streaming, which means the streaming quality will automatically adjust based on your internet speed. For high-definition (HD) streaming we recommend VDSL, cable or fibre connections as we cannot guarantee consistent HD streaming on ADSL. - Why does video playback stall or not play smoothly?
If your internet connection is poor or inconsistent you may experience problems during playback. To resolve buffering issues, you can manually lower the video resolution by clicking “Auto” (next to the volume control) in the lower-right corner of the player window. - What if my screen is black and I only hear audio?
Please ensure your system meets the minimum requirements. As an anti-piracy initiative, the BIFF Streaming Platform will not work if you have a video sharing program open. Please make sure you have completely closed down all applications that have the ability to record your screen. This includes, but is not limited to Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facetime, or any other screen recording programs. If you were hoping to join a friend virtually to watch a film together, please ensure that neither of you are using one of the above devices from the same device you are streaming your film from.
