How to Conference

Registration

All Getting Real ’26 attendees must have an All Access pass or a Virtual Together pass to take part in the conference. Make sure to register for your pass in advance to stay up to date on all conference updates.

Virtual Together Pass ($95)

The Virtual Together Pass allows access to all virtual panels, discussions and keynotes, excluding select closed sessions. You will still be able to experience the conference through the same platform that all attendees will be using, WhatsApp, that conference programmers will organize.

All Access Pass ($550)

The All Access Pass allows access to all in person sessions at three different venues, as well as access to conference groups via WhatsApp.

In addition to panels, keynotes and breakout rooms of the conference, attendees will be invited to an Opening Night Toast, Industry Expo Lunch, and Lights, Coffee, Action Breakfast, all of which will provide opportunities for mingling with directors, industry gatekeepers, funders and thought leaders.

Attendance

Virtual Attendance

This year we are using Eventive as our conference streaming platform and WhatsApp for group communications. Once your pass has been registered, you will be able to browse the program, sign up for sessions, and access virtual content through Eventive. As we get closer to the event, you'll receive more information about joining our WhatsApp community.

We are working to customize the features of each meeting room to fit the type of programming for each session. While most sessions will take place within Eventive, a small number of events will be hosted on Zoom, and access information for those sessions will be provided in advance. We will also implement the Slido platform to allow for live-time questions and comments.

This year we are using Eventive as our conference streaming platform and WhatsApp for group communications. As we get closer to the event, you will receive an invitation to create an account to join both. You can sign up, stream and connect, and attend sessions all using this platform.

We are working to customize the features of each meeting room to fit the type of programming for each session of the event. We will also implement the Slido platform to allow for live-time questions and comments.

In Person Attendance

All in-person events will take place between Monday, July 20 and Thursday, July 23, 2026. Events will be spread between three iconic venues in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Downtown LA.

Union Center for the Arts:
120 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Japanese American National Museum:
100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Japanese American Cultural and Community Center:
244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Pass Pickup: Attendees must pick up their physical All Access passes in person. Primary pass pick up will be at the registration area from 11:00am - 8:00pm on Monday July 20. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, passes will be available for pick up at the Guest Services desk in JANM. Attendees must provide their confirmation email and photo identification in order to pick up their pass. Passes are non-transferable and non-refundable. All attendees must wear their All Access passes at all times in order to attend any in-person events.

Primary Pass Pickup - Monday, July 11:00am - 8:00pm
Japanese American National Museum (JANM) Lobby:
100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Attending in-person events: All in-person events have a maximum capacity and will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Possession of a pass does not guarantee seating and seat saving is not permitted. We strongly encourage attendees to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time of each in-person event to ensure proper seating. Some events will run back to back in a space, all guests are asked to leave following one session to return and be scanned for the next.

Casual Dress Code Policy: Comfortable, practical clothing is welcome!

Video and Camera Policy: Our events and sessions will be live streamed to our virtual platform by IDA staff. That is the only permitted recording at the conference. Live streaming of events by attendees is not permitted at Getting Real ’26. Photos, social media stories, and quotes are welcome in open sessions. To ensure a safe space for all of our guests, filming and on spot interviews of attendees by non-staffers are also not allowable at the conference.

No/Low Scent Policy: We ask all guests who are joining us in person to arrive using no to low scented products. This means refraining from using perfumes, lotions, detergents, oils, and hair products with strong fragrances. Learn more about why this is important and what we will do in the accessibility tab of the event website.

Access Support People (For in-person programming): Disabled guests whose access includes bringing an access support person or personal care aide can do so at no additional charge. Let us know who you plan to bring when you register and we will create a code to register them for free. You can check in together when you arrive at the venue.

“Here’s What Really Happened” and Other Closed Sessions

Our intimate “Here’s What Really Happened” sessions and select others will be marked “closed to the public.” These sessions are designed to allow independent filmmakers an opportunity to speak frankly about experiences with funders, distributors, broadcasters, festivals and film organizations. Please note that recording of any kind is not permitted: no photos, no social media, no video, no audio, and no transcription. Attendees are free to use the information and ideas discussed, but they cannot reveal the identity or affiliation of the speakers according to Chatham House Rules. Thank you for understanding and respecting these guidelines.

Masking Protocols

Getting Real ’26 welcomes attendees from around the world, and we ask everyone to be thoughtful about masking as a form of collective care. Masks are not required, but they will be available near the entrance of each venue—we encourage you to take one.

Some attendees mask because they, or someone close to them, are immunocompromised or at heightened health risk. For them, masking is a meaningful protective measure, and the people around them can make a real difference. If you notice someone near you is masking, please consider masking yourself in close-contact settings such as conversations, queues, and crowded sessions.

We ask all attendees to respect individual masking decisions without comment or judgment.

Accessibility

For detailed accessibility information about our event, visit the Accessibility tab on our website. We will continue to update this section as we move closer to our event. At any time, contact our accessibility coordinator, Emily Voorde, emily.voorde@documentary.org .

Best Practices to Create Access as an Attendee

State your name before you speak (“This is *name*...”). This allows interpreters and captions to let people know who is communicating and when presenters switch
Speak at a comfortable pace, and not too fast. Session moderators will let you know if you need to adjust how you communicate to best support interpreters, captioners, and other attendees
Avoid ableist and additional oppressive language. Recognize that some terms ingrained in main-stream spaces (ex: cr*zy, l*me, ins*ne) are very harmful. Visit Self-Defined, for a holistic list of terms to understand harmful implications and to work on removing them from your daily life. Also avoid euphemisms when discussing disability.

Additional Online Access Considerations:

Introduce yourself with your name, pronouns, and a brief visual description if you have your camera on
We want you to turn off and on your cameras as you need to in the comfort of your own space. If it is possible, please turn your camera on when you speak to assist people who may benefit from reading your lips and facial expressions
If you plan to speak. Use headphones/headsets with a microphone. This will help interpreters and captioning pick up your speech
Recognize that people may be caring for children or other people while also attending the conference
Recognize that creating accessibility is an active, collective, and dynamic process. People’s access needs vary from person to person and day to day. Help us strive to create an environment where we all feel responsible to respond and adapt to people’s changing needs together
Please be patient when technology issues arise. Many people, including conference staff and volunteers, will be using this technology for the first time. We will communicate who to contact if you need assistance using the technology as we get closer to the event

Code of Conduct

We are honored to host a community that is vibrant, diverse and bold. We value and respect the perspective of our guests and employees and we encourage open exchange of ideas and views in a mutually courteous and consensual environment. We are committed to providing our attendees and staff with a safe and pleasurable experience.

IDA seeks to ensure that all guests, staff and volunteers are treated with dignity and respect, and that all of our events can be fully enjoyed without disruption. IDA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender identity & expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, individuality, race, ethnicity, immigration or economic status, nationality, or religion.

All IDA events participants – including staff, panelists, moderators, vendors, sponsors, guests, volunteers, members of the press, board of directors, industry representatives, attendees, and others are required to comply with this code of conduct before, during, and after events, whether in-person, online, or in any other forum established by the conference.

IDA does not tolerate harassment in any form. We define harassment as including, but not limited to:

any form of verbal or physical abuse, or threatening behavior;
unwelcome sexual attention or physical contact;
targeted comments related to gender, gender identity & expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, lifestyle choices and practices;
deliberate intimidation, stalking, following;
harassing photography or recording;
use of derogatory language;
sustained disruption of programs;
public display of sexual images or use of sexually explicit language.

There will be a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. If you are asked to stop harassing behavior, you must comply immediately. Anyone not in compliance will be removed immediately, without refund, at the sole discretion of IDA or venue staff. IDA also reserves the right to ban violators from future events. In addition, IDA reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. This policy exists to ensure a safe environment for all IDA event participants.

Please speak to an IDA staff member on-site if you believe you’ve observed or experienced a violation of the Code of Conduct. If you cannot locate an IDA staff member, please contact access@documentary.org.

In the event of harassment and/or code violations, IDA will work to assess the situation and to respond as soon as possible. All suspected violations of local, state, or federal law should be reported to local law enforcement. For emergencies, immediately dial 911.

We value your attendance and are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone. For questions regarding IDA's Code of Conduct agreement, please email conference@documentary.org. IDA strives to provide inclusive and accessible festival spaces and gatherings, clearly noting barriers to accessibility when present and seeking feedback for how we can improve.

Media Release statement

By entering the event premises, you consent to photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by IDA and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos, and/or videos may be used to promote similar IDA events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of IDA.

Accommodations & Transportation

Hotels

Getting Real ’26 does not have a preferred vendor for hotels and accommodations. There are many options near the conference venues, some of which are outlined in the Hotel and Transportation Guide, or online in the accessibility tab.

Parking

Parking is available at various paid parking lots throughout the area.

IDA Members

Special Member Opportunities

Getting Real ’26 is a great time to become a new member or renew your existing membership.

Register for a new membership or renew your existing membership during Getting Real ‘26 with a special membership discount available only during the conference. Plus, when you renew or join during the conference, you receive a special IDA Member Water Bottle. To get the discount code, meet us at the Members’ Hub at JACCC.

At Getting Real ’26, IDA members will have a designated Members’ Hub space to connect, network, and relax in the JACCC Doizaki Gallery. There will also be an IDA Members' exclusive Party on Wednesday evening.

When picking up your registration passes, there will also be a designated line for all IDA Members.

Read more about IDA membership benefits at documentary.org/membership.

Testimonials From Past Getting Reals

“My experience was incredible. All of the staff and volunteers were kind and helpful. All of the filmmakers I met were so ready and willing to connect and share knowledge. There were many last-minute changes, but the email communication was clear and consistent, making it easier to navigate all the moving pieces. All in all, it was an incredible experience.” —Thanh Tran

Testimonials From Past Getting Reals

“I loved it. The quality of the curation was absolutely stellar, and attending was a communal event in the best sense: I really appreciate how you welcomed everyone from top-level industry insiders to film students (and all the rest of us in between) on an equal level. It felt democratic, accessible, inclusive. To be clear, I only attended the ‘live’ events, not the virtual ones, since I was there on-site. I really appreciated the variation in the programming, which had a clear theme, but which allowed for every talk to unfold on its own terms. In my experience, the talks felt genuine, honest, and ‘human’ in a way that some industry events do not manage to achieve. There was political commitment and a shared sense of cause, and I appreciate how it was made clear in text and talk that this was a forum in which everyone was encouraged to freely speak their mind and voice their opinion. I also really liked the ones about form and craft/art, as well as the one about using AI for concrete practices. For all those reasons, I find it hard to single out highlights, as Getting Real was so very rewarding as a complete experience. Also, it should be said that it was really great FUN too.”

—Mads K. Mikkelsen

“I loved connecting with the people there. The people were really great. I feel like I made some really organic connections, and it was also nice to reconnect in person with some folks that I had met virtually during the pandemic.”

—Anonymous