How to get into "sold-out" IFF screenings

[cthulhia]

By now you know about the Independent Film Festival of Boston (first screening is this Wednesday at the Somerville). You've possibly looked at a few screenings that sound interesting but, alas, claim to be SOLD OUT.

Well, they probably aren't.

It's like this:

IFF sells a limited number of " Chrome Passes", for folks who know they'll be going to enough screenings, seminars and parties to merit getting the pass, or otherwise don't want to decide in advance which screenings they want to attend. (2007 Chrome passes are already sold out.)

IFF sets aside a number of seats in each screening for Chrome Pass holders. A "Sold-Out" show includes that number, as well as actual ticket sales.

However, there can six different screenings happening at once. Even if every Chrome Pass holder went to as many screenings as they possibly could, there'd still be unclaimed seats.

Chrome pass holders (and people who bought tickets for just that film) have until 15 minutes before the film's scheduled start to show up and claim those seats. If there's a waiting list (i.e. "Rush Line") for that screening, those unclaimed seats are then made available to the folks in line.

If you have tickets or a chrome pass for a popular screening, get there at least 15 minutes early.

If you don't have tickets, the Rush Line may start as much as an hour in advance for really popular films. (I've heard that Thursday's world premiere of On Broadway is going to be mobbed, so plan accordingly.)

If you're in the Rush Line, and the official start time has passed, don't give up until an IFF volunteer confirms that the screening has already started. They will delay the start of a screening to make sure every possible person from the Rush Line that can get a seat has gotten one.

Comments

[kissoflife.livejournal.com]

THANK you for that info and reminder about the Fest. I stood for 10 mins looking at the posters at Som. Theater, thinking through which ones I could catch. Too few! Still trying to work it.