How Passes Work at Encounters 2026

How Passes Work at Encounters 2026
Passes are now on public sale for Encounters 2026 (23-27 September), and we wanted to break down how they work so you can pick the right one for you.

The basics
All passholders get an exclusive early booking window before individual tickets go on sale to the public. That means you get first pick of the programme before anyone else. Individual tickets will be on sale once the remainder of the programme is announced, so grabbing a pass now is the only way to start booking, and the best way to ensure you get the best experience.
One important thing to know: a pass doesn't get you through the door on its own. You'll still need to reserve a ticket for each screening or event you want to attend. Capacity is limited at our venues, so reserving your spot is how we make sure everyone gets a seat. Think of your pass as your key to the box office, not the auditorium.

Three passes, three ways to fest:
- The Festival Pass is your unlimited pass to everything in the programme: screenings, talks, masterclasses, headline events. If you want to dive in headfirst and not worry about choosing, this is the one.
- The Discovery Pass is for anyone who wants a taster. You get 5 ticket reservations to use across any standard screenings and events in the programme. Pick and choose your own route through the festival.
- The Industry Pass includes everything in the Festival Pass, plus access to the Filmmaker Lounge and our industry delegate list. If you're attending as a professional, this is built for you.

Sold out? Not so fast.
At Encounters, passholders can join a standby queue for sold out screenings. If seats open up, we'll get you in. So a full house isn't a closed door, it's just a short wait. Please note that standby may not be available for certain headline events.

Ready?
Head to our Buy Passes page to grab yours.