RESERVATION GUIDE

LightReel8 uses a tiered reservation system. Each pass category receives access on its designated date. Higher-tier passholders receive earlier opportunities to reserve eligible screenings and events.

Once a reservation window opens, eligible passholders may select available screenings and events through the festival's Eventive ticketing platform.

Your reservation window remains open after its designated start date, subject to availability. Opening a new pass category does not close previously opened reservation windows.

Festival reservations are managed through the official LightReel8 Eventive platform. Passholders should use the same email address associated with their pass purchase when accessing their reservations.

How to Reserve a Screening

1. Purchase your preferred LightReel8 festival pass through Eventive.
2. Keep your purchase confirmation and the email address associated with your Eventive account.
3. Review the festival schedule once programming and screening times are announced.
4. Wait until your pass category's reservation window opens.
5. Sign in to Eventive and select screenings or events eligible under your pass.
6. Complete each reservation and save the confirmation for festival admission.

What Your Pass Covers

Each pass provides a defined level of access. The number and type of eligible screenings depend on the pass purchased. Certain presentations, including gala and specially ticketed events, may require separate admission.

A festival pass does not automatically reserve a seat at every screening. Unless otherwise specified, passholders should make reservations for the individual programs they wish to attend.

Explore Festival Passes

LightReel8 brings independent films, filmmaker conversations, and industry programming together across three days in Washington, DC. Advance planning will help you make the most of your experience.

Before Reservations Open

• Review your pass benefits and reservation eligibility.
• Identify your preferred films, conversations, and special events.
• Create a shortlist of priority screenings and alternative choices.
• Check dates, screening times, and venue locations.
• Allow adequate travel time between festival locations.
• Avoid reserving overlapping screenings or events.

During the Festival

Keep your pass and reservation confirmations accessible on your mobile device. Check festival communications for schedule adjustments, venue information, and programming updates.

Some screenings may be followed by filmmaker discussions or additional programming. Consider these activities when organizing your schedule.

Plans sometimes change. If you are unable to attend a reserved screening, please cancel your reservation so another festival attendee may have an opportunity to participate.

Three-Hour Cancellation Policy

Reservations must be canceled at least three hours before the scheduled start of the screening or event.

If you cannot attend, release your reservation through the available Eventive cancellation process before the deadline.

Reservations canceled after the deadline may be treated as late cancellations under the festival's final attendance policy.

Changing Your Schedule

To attend a different screening, first review the availability of your preferred replacement. A new reservation is subject to your pass eligibility and remaining inventory.

Canceling a reservation does not guarantee that a seat will become available for another screening.

A confirmed reservation is an important part of the admission process. Passholders should arrive early, allow time for check-in, and follow instructions from festival venue staff.

Before Entering the Theater

• Have your festival pass and reservation confirmation ready.
• Confirm the correct venue, screening date, and start time.
• Allow additional time for check-in and theater entry.
• Follow instructions for passholder and ticket-holder admission lines.
• Respect venue accessibility procedures and staff directions.

Late Arrival

Late admission may be restricted once a screening has begun. Reserved seating may also be released under the festival's final admission procedures.

LightReel will publish any specific seat-release deadline and admission cutoff before festival screenings begin.

Seating

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular presentation, seating is subject to available capacity and venue procedures. A reservation does not necessarily provide an assigned seat.

A no-show occurs when an attendee holds a reservation but does not attend the scheduled screening or cancel within the required cancellation period.

Why No-Shows Matter

LightReel8 screenings have limited seating. Unused reservations may prevent other attendees from accessing films they wish to see.

Timely cancellations help festival staff manage attendance and provide additional opportunities for other passholders and ticket buyers.

Managing Your Reservations

• Reserve only screenings you reasonably expect to attend.
• Review your schedule regularly for conflicts.
• Cancel unwanted reservations at least three hours before showtime.
• Contact festival support if you encounter problems accessing your reservations.

Any penalties or restrictions associated with repeated no-shows will be communicated through the festival's published Terms and Conditions.

A screening listed as unavailable during advance reservations may become available again if previously reserved seats are released.

Checking for Openings

Passholders are encouraged to review Eventive periodically for changes in screening availability. Cancellations may create opportunities for additional reservations.

At-the-Door Availability

Depending on venue capacity, LightReel may make unclaimed seats available through a designated admission process. Availability is not guaranteed.

Any rush admission, standby line, or last-minute ticketing procedures will be announced separately once festival operations are finalized.

Special Presentations

Opening Night, Closing Night, Spotlight presentations, and other special events may have separate ticketing or admission requirements.

Always review the eligibility details attached to a screening before attempting to reserve it.

LightReel8 festival passes and screening reservations are managed through Eventive, the festival's ticketing and reservation platform.

After Purchasing a Pass

1. Check the email account used for your purchase.
2. Locate your Eventive confirmation message.
3. Follow the instructions provided to access your order or pass.
4. Keep your pass information accessible during the festival.
5. Use the same account when making screening reservations.

Having Trouble?

If you cannot locate your purchase confirmation, first check your spam or junk mail folders. Confirm that you are using the email address associated with your order.

For account or ticketing issues, use the support options provided through the official Eventive platform.

View Festival Passes

The LightReel experience continues beyond the in-person festival with LightReel at Home (LaH), a dedicated virtual screening opportunity for independent cinema.

Virtual Pass — $49

The LightReel at Home Virtual Pass provides access to eligible independent films during the festival's designated online screening window.

Virtual Screening Dates

June 7–9, 2027

LaH provides a 72-hour screening window, allowing virtual audiences to explore the available independent film selection at their convenience during the event.

What's Included

• Access to participating independent films selected for the virtual program.
• A 72-hour viewing period running June 7–9, 2027.
• The opportunity to explore multiple eligible films during the virtual event.
• A digital festival experience for audiences unable to attend in Washington, DC.

What's Not Included

Opening Night, Closing Night, Spotlight films, and other excluded gala presentations are not included in the standard LaH independent film offering.

Viewing Availability

Participating films are available only within their authorized digital exhibition period. Individual titles may carry additional viewing restrictions based on filmmaker or distribution requirements.

Viewers should confirm access requirements and any viewing limitations before beginning a film.

Explore Pass Options