STREAMING FAQ

If you need technical assistance, please email [email protected]
Responses are made Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and Thurs, Fri, Sat 6pm-10pm

Phone: 877-874-6833, calls will be returned within 24 hours

Yes! You may now stream all CFI content via Roku or Apple TV on the new CAFILM Streaming App.

  1. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to download the channel to an Apple TV.
  2. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to download the channel to your Roku device.
  3. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to purchase a film stream and watch on your Apple TV or Roku.

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.

Please note: While we recommend Roku or Apple TV as the best viewing experience, you are not required to own either to stream our films. Film can always be streamed via a web browser, if preferred.

Here’s a quick video tutorial on how to purchase tickets and then watch films via your Roku, Apple TV, computer, or mobile device.

Films are available through [email protected]’s own streaming service, or via the individual distributors’ streaming platforms, where you’ll be taken to their websites to purchase and watch the film – in all cases, a portion of your ticket will help support the Smith Rafael Film Center.

CLICK HERE for a video tutorial that explains the best ways to connect your computer to your television to watch streaming programs.

A guide to using Google Chromecast can be found here, and a guide for AppleTV’s Airplay is here.

Most films are available immediately after purchase, unless otherwise noted on the film page. Some other films have different durations during which the viewing link is valid.

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PERKS!

All films on [email protected]’s streaming platform offer member pricing, just login with your member number! Not a CFI Member?
CLICK HERE for complete membership info.

Many of our distribution partners are offering discounted member pricing as well. This will be noted on the films’ pages.

Be on the lookout for your weekly Member Discount email which will list all of the titles for which discounts are available.

Unfortunately, some distributor streaming services are unable to offer member pricing.  These rentals will help ensure that we are able do that—and if you’d consider an additional donation to the Rafael, you can do so HERE. Thank you for your support!

We are fortunate to have filmmakers, film subjects, and subject experts in conversation about a film and its topic. These conversations are live-streamed on specific days and times and are most often free of charge. Information is listed on film pages along with a registration link. It is recommended that you pre-register for these events.

Recordings of conversations that are hosted by [email protected] will be made available HERE to watch at a later date.

Once you’ve started watching a film that you’ve rented on the [email protected] hosted platform, there are two ways to stop and return to it at a later time. You typically have a 48 hour rental period, otherwise the rental period will be noted on the film page. 

  1. Return to the ticket confirmation email sent from [email protected]. “Click to Watch” and you’ll be returned to your film rental. 
  2. Navigate to the film’s page on [email protected], click “Rent Now”, then click “Already Rented? Click here to watch now” and you’ll be immediately returned to the film. You may be required to first log in to your account.

These are conversations with filmmakers and subject experts. They are live streamed on specific days and times and are free, in most cases. All information is listed on the film pages. We recommended pre-registering for these popular events.

Recordings of these conversations are viewable HERE after the live event.

Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10

We recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome as your web browser. Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera are also supported. Internet Explorer is not supported.

Mac OSX 10.12 or later

We recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome or Safari. Other supported browsers include: Firefox and Opera.

Yes, you can watch [email protected] films using Chrome on Android 6.0 or later.

Yes. You can watch our films on iPhone/iPad using Safari on iOS 11.2 or later. Please note that you must have “Screen Mirroring” turned off for content to play.

Yes. You can AirPlay video from an iPad/iPhone to an Apple TV or select Samsung Smart TVs compatible with Airplay (check to see if there is an Airplay badge on the TV if uncertain). Follow these instructions:

  • Check that the TV and device are on the same wifi network.
  • Ensure Screen Mirroring is turned off from your device settings
  • Open the video player on your computer or device.
  • Click on AirPlay button () in the bottom right-hand side of the player.
  • Select which device you’d like to watch the video on when prompted.
  • If prompted to, enter code from TV into device.

No. iPad & iPhone iOS doesn’t support playback of encrypted video when an HDMI lightning adapter is plugged into the device.

No. iPad & iPhone iOS doesn’t support playback of encrypted video through screen-mirroring.

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. Please note: Chromecast will not work from an iPad/iPhone.

That means that there is incompatibility between the device and the TV. Try updating the web browser on the device to ensure you have the most recent version.

  • Try updating your web browser. 
  • If updating does not work, try a different web browser. For example, if you are using apple’s safari browser, try using google chrome or mozilla firefox instead.
  • If switching browsers does not work, try watching on a different device. For example, if the video is not playing on your iPad, try using watching on a computer instead.

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.

The [email protected] has been able to program a variety of films from independent distribution companies as well as larger film studios. All films available to rent can be viewed online using a laptop, iPad/tablet, and a mobile devise. Other options such as Roku, Apple TV or Chromcast, may be available depending on the company. Instructions for viewing and a link to the film will be emailed to you after your purchase is made.

Here are a few helpful links, should you have any issues with a film rental from one of these distributors:

EVENTIVE

You will get access to watch on your computer, phone, or tablet. If you have an Apple TV or Roku, you can use their dedicated apps for these platforms. If you have a Chromecast, you can cast to it from your phone or computer. They recommend using the latest version of your browser. Internet Explorer is not supported. Due to content protection restrictions, the Screen Mirroring feature cannot be used. Additionally, HDMI or other video dongles cannot be connected to your device.

You will have to register for a free Eventive account if you don’t already have one.

Eventive’s FAQ page and Live Chat Support can be found HERE .

Magnolia Pictures FAQ

Music Box Films FAQ

Criterion Channel FAQ

Neon FAQ

VIMEO ON DEMAND

To view your Vimeo On Demand purchases on a computer, log in to your Vimeo account in your desktop browser and go to your Purchases (purchases also appear in your Watch Later queue). Clicking on a title in your purchases will take you to the VOD page, where you can stream the video.

More information is available HERE , and you can contact Vimeo’s customer service HERE .