/Attend

DC/DOX Festival Passes & Tickets FAQ

General Info About Passes & Tickets

Festival Pass (best for attending multiple events):
A Festival Pass gives you the most flexible way to experience DC/DOX. It allows you to attend any film screening, Reality Check Forum event (panels, workshops, masterclasses), and select festival gatherings.

Passholders are encouraged to reserve a ticket in advance for each event they plan to attend. This guarantees your seat, as long as you arrive at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. Seating is general admission, not assigned.

  • If you don’t reserve in advance → you can still attend with your pass as long as space is available.
  • If a screening is sold out → passholders receive priority access in the standby line if seats open up.
  • Unoccupied seats are released to the standby line 5 minutes before the program starts, so be sure to arrive early.
  • Each pass must be assigned to a unique email to reserve tickets, receive updates, and enable mobile ticketing; passes cannot be shared.

Individual Ticket (best for one event):
An individual ticket is for a single screening or event and guarantees your entry to that program. Seating is general admission.

All-Access Pass includes:

  • All film screenings and post-screening discussions
  • Signature Screenings (Opening Night, Centerpiece, Closing Night, Spotlight)*
  • Reality Check Forum programs (panels, workshops, masterclasses)
  • Opening Night Party (RSVP required)
  • Priority access to standby lines for sold-out screenings
  • Festival tote bag and printed catalogue

*Passholders receive exclusive one-week early access to reserve tickets for Signature Screenings before they become available to the general public.

There is no limit, as long as screenings do not overlap and capacity allows.

1. Purchase your Festival Pass
Buy your DC/DOX Festival Pass through the “Tickets and Passes” page on our website. Take advantage of Early Bird pricing through May 5, 2026, offering a 20% discount.

2. Reserve tickets in advance
Once the lineup is announced, passholders may begin reserving tickets for the screenings and events they wish to attend. Reservations are strongly recommended (though not required), as many screenings sell out.

The lineup will be announced in phases:

  • April 29: Signature Screenings (Opening, Closing, Centerpiece, Spotlight)*
  • May 6: Full film lineup
  • May 13: Reality Check Forum

*Passholders receive exclusive early access to reserve tickets for Signature Screenings before they become available to the general public on May 6.

Passholders may reserve one ticket per screening per time slot, subject to availability. Reservations cannot be made for overlapping screenings or events. Reservations may be canceled at any time prior to the start of the program, allowing you to reserve a different screening or event.

3. Attend your screenings and events
Arrive at the venue at least 10 minutes before showtime to guarantee entry, and present your pass or reservation confirmation (printed or on your mobile device).

For sold-out screenings, any unclaimed seats are released to the standby line beginning 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. Passholders receive priority access on the standby line.

4. Use standby if a screening sells out
If a screening is sold out and you do not have a reservation, you may join the standby line. Passholders receive priority access, and any available seats are released 5 minutes before the program begins.

The lineup will be announced in phases:

  • April 29: Signature Slate announced (Opening, Closing, Centerpiece, Spotlight)*
  • May 6: Full film lineup announced
  • May 13: Reality Check Forum announced

*Passholders receive exclusive early access to reserve tickets for Signature Screenings before they become available to the general public on May 6.

Reserving Tickets with Your Pass

Reservations are not required, but strongly recommended. Many screenings sell out, and reserving tickets in advance is the best way to guarantee your seat. Seating is general admission – not assigned.

You can begin reserving tickets as soon as the lineup is announced, and continue until events are sold out or the festival concludes.

Here are the lineup announcement dates:

  • April 29: Signature Screenings (Opening, Closing, Centerpiece, Spotlight)
  • May 6: Full film lineup reservations open
  • May 13: Reality Check Forum reservations open

Reservation rules:

  • One ticket per screening per time slot
  • No overlapping reservations
  • Reservations may be canceled at any time before the event

Detailed instructions on how to make the most of your pass will be emailed after purchase.

Attending Screenings

Arrive at least 10 minutes before showtime to guarantee entry, and present your pass or reservation (mobile or printed). For sold-out programs, any unclaimed seats will be released to the standby line beginning 5 minutes before the event starts.

Yes—if the screening has not reached capacity, you may attend with your pass. No advance reservation required, though highly recommended. Otherwise, entry is available by reservation or via the standby line if seats become available.

You can also purchase tickets upon arrival at the venue. Credit/debit only; no cash accepted.

You may be admitted if seats are available; however, late seating is not guaranteed. For sold-out screenings, even if you have a reservation on your pass or individual ticket, any unclaimed seats will be released to the standby line beginning 5 minutes before the scheduled start time.

No—all screenings are general admission (seating is first-come, first-served). Accessible seating is available at all venues and may be reserved in advance.

Yes—all venues are ADA-compliant and offer accessible seating. For more details, please visit our Accessibility page, under the Attend tab.

Sold-Out Screenings & Standby Lines

If a screening is sold out and you don’t have a reservation, you may join the standby line. Any unclaimed seats are released 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. Passholders receive priority access on the standby line.

  • Join the designated standby line at the venue
  • Unclaimed seats are released shortly before the screening begins
  • Passholders receive priority access and may be admitted first
  • If you do not have a pass, individual tickets may be available for purchase at that time (credit/debit only; no cash accepted), subject to availability
Pass Policies

No. Passes are non-transferable and must be used by the registered holder.

Each pass must be assigned to a unique email to reserve tickets, receive updates, and enable mobile ticketing.

Yes. Assign the recipient’s name and email at checkout.

Refunds

All sales are final. Tickets and passes are non-refundable.

Lost Passes & Mobile Access

If you lose your pass, please contact info@dcdoxfest.com (subject: “Lost Pass”) or visit the Festival Box Office at the Eaton DC (1201 K Street NW). For more information on Box Office location and hours, please see the “Venues” tab on our website.

Note: Physical passes are not required—everything can be accessed via your mobile device using the Eventive app or browser login.

Accessibility

For detailed information about accessibility at DC/DOX—including venue access, captioning, and accommodations—please visit our Accessibility page (Attend → Accessibility).

General Festival Info

At venues across Washington, DC (see Attend>Venues tab on the website).

Q&As are a core part of the DC/DOX experience, and we make every effort to include a post-screening discussion at each screening. Whenever possible, these conversations feature filmmakers or members of the film team, often joined by a moderator. While most screenings include a Q&A, participation may vary based on availability.

No—while a physical pass can be convenient, it is not required. You can access everything on your mobile device using the Eventive app or your browser login.

Photography is not permitted during screenings while the film is playing, as it can disrupt the audience experience and may violate copyright. Photos are otherwise welcome in festival spaces, including during introductions and Q&As—feel free to tag us: #dcdoxfest #dcdoxfest26.

info@dcdoxfest.com