FAQ
If your question is not answered here, email us.
ABOUT FILM FORUM:
Q: What are Film Forum's business hours?
Q: What is the film selection process?
Q: How do I submit a new film to be considered for exhibition at Film Forum?
Q: Do you rent the theater for screenings?
Q: What does it mean to be a nonprofit cinema?
Q: Is Film Forum accessible to people with disabilities?
Q: Where is Film Forum located / How do I get there?
TICKETING:
Q: How can I buy tickets?
Q: How can I buy member-priced tickets online?
Q: May I purchase tickets over the phone?
Q: What is a double feature?
Q: Is there a discount for senior citizens?
Q: Is there discount for people with disabilities?
Q: Is there a student discount?
Q: Is there a group discount?
Q: Any other general ticket information?
OTHER QUESTIONS:
Q: What do I do if I've lost or had my membership card stolen?
Q: How do I get on your mailing list, change my address or remove myself from your list?
Q: I'm receiving duplicate calendars. How do I stop this?
Q: How do I sign up for your weekly newsletter email?
Q: How do I get off your email newsletter list?
Q: Do you make grants to filmmakers?
Q: What employment opportunities are available Film Forum?
Q: How do I locate a page or piece of information on your site?
ABOUT FILM FORUM:
Q: What are Film Forum's business hours?
A: The box office opens at 12:00pm Monday through Friday, and 10:30am on Saturday and Sunday during our Film Forum Jr. programming.
The administrative offices are open Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Q: What is the film selection process?
A: New films for the premieres program are selected by Karen Cooper, Director, and Mike Maggiore, Programmer & Publicist. Repertory films are chosen by Bruce Goldstein, Director of Repertory Programming.
Premieres: Staff travels extensively to film festivals around the world to identify the best in new domestic and international cinema. Programming staff request DVDs from filmmakers and distributors to preview year-round. We look for films that “break the rules”; tell stories in a new way; deal with controversial or provocative subject matter; treat relevant social, political and historical realities in innovative ways (both formally and intellectually); and give emerging filmmakers the opportunity to reach the general public for the first time.
Repertory Program: Director of Repertory Programming Bruce Goldstein is committed to the presentation of American and international classics and re-discoveries. He regularly programs rare films culled from the world’s archives and secures new 35mm prints of classics from U.S. distributors as well as international sources. Because of this commitment to quality, Film Forum has been directly or indirectly responsible for upgrading the quality of classic film presentation across the country over the past decade.
Q: How do I submit a new film to be considered for exhibition at Film Forum?
A: Due to the volume of submissions, WE DO NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED DVDS.
For consideration, email Mike Maggiore the following information:
- synopsis
- film festivals / prizes
- press coverage
- contact info for filmmaker, distributor or sales agent
- The submission should be no longer than 2 pages in length.
- If we are interested in previewing your film, we will contact you with further instructions. Please no phone calls.
Q: Do you rent the theater for screenings?
A: No. As a nonprofit cinema, we program our calendar with films that meet our mission and curatorial criteria. Our calendar is filled with our own programming.
Q: What does it mean to be a nonprofit cinema?
A: Film Forum’s mission is to present the best of new and classic films through two distinct, complementary film programs: NYC theatrical premieres of American independents and foreign art films; and repertory selections including foreign and American classics, genre works, festivals and directors’ retrospectives.
As a nonprofit, our operating income comes from a combination of earned income (ticket sales, concession, merchandise) and funding from private and public sources. Thus, we are not as beholden to “the bottom line” as are commercial theaters, and are able to take significant risks in our programming. In order to keep our films accessible, we offer a multi-level membership program that affords considerable savings on ticket purchases and a host of other benefits.
Film Forum provides significant marketing and publicity support for all of our films and programs. We produce calendars, press books, and press releases for every movie we premiere and for our repertory re-releases and festivals. We take paid advertising in The New York Times, and our publicists work directly with filmmakers and their subjects to promote their films. We commit significant resources towards these efforts, money that small distributors might not be able to afford on their own.
Q: Is Film Forum accessible to people with disabilities?
A: Yes, our entire facility is accessible. All 4 theaters, our restrooms, and our lobby are wheelchair accessible, located on the ground-level with no stairs.
For the hearing-impaired, we have assistive listening devices (available upon request) for all 4 theaters. We also have personalized armrest-fitted closed captioning devices available for specific titles (marked with 
).
For the visually impaired, select titles are offered with audio description (marked with 
).
All foreign-language films are English subtitled.
Please see manager or an usher if you require assistance.
TICKETING:
A: Tickets can be purchased: online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or at the box office every day starting at 12:00pm Monday through Friday, and at 10:30 am on Saturdays and Sundays during our Film Forum Jr. programming. To purchase online, simply click the BUY TICKETS link next to the film you wish to see (button displays as soon as tickets are available for that film), or click the BUY TICKETS NOW button in the right-hand navigation bar to see this week’s schedule and purchase tickets there. Tickets may be purchased in cash or credit card at the box office, or with a credit card through our website.
All of our ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. PLEASE NOTE: To avoid lines and delays, we suggest you arrive at least 20 minutes before showtime.
Q: How can I buy member-priced tickets online?
A: First, login to your account: Please use your email and password here.
• If you do not remember your password, please click on Forgot Your Password? You will then receive a password reset email.
• If you were already logged in, and are still not being offered membership pricing on your ticket, please logout, and then login again.
• To check the status of your membership: Please click here.
• To update your account information: Please click here.
Q: May I purchase tickets over the phone?
A: No. However, members at the $250 level and above can make reservations in advance by calling the administrative office 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday at 212-627-2035, or the box office the day of the show starting at 12:00pm Monday through Friday, and 10:30am Saturdays and Sundays during our Film Forum Jr. programming, at 212-727-8112. Reserved tickets are purchased when they are picked at the box office.
Q: How do I buy for a double feature?
Film Forum sometimes presents a “double feature” as part of our repertory program. All double feature programs are clearly marked as such on our website.
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A “double feature” is a two-title program that allows the ticket holder to see both films for one admission.
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A ticket holder may stay for the next consecutive film in the “double feature” program. (For example: A patron seeing the 3pm ‘Casablanca’ may stay for the 5pm ‘The Big Heat’ … but CANNOT return for the 9:30pm ‘The Big Heat’)
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A limited number of double feature tickets will be available for advance purchase online, and at our box office.
All double features are marked on the website with ‘2-for-1’, ‘2 FILMS FOR 1 ADMISSION’ or the wording ‘DOUBLE FEATURE.’ Double Features entitle a ticket holder to stay for the next consecutive film at no additional charge. Keep your ticket stub in a secure place, as you will need it for re-entry for your second movie.
When one-half of a double feature is sold out, we start a standby line outside the box office. People often leave after the first feature, therefore freeing up additional seats. Our ushers count seats and include as many people from the standby line as possible.
The double feature is a tradition that we're proud to maintain. We've generally gotten very positive feedback from our members and other audience members regarding them, and we’re proud to be the last venue in town offering such a treat to our valued patrons.
Q: Is there a discount for senior citizens?
A: Yes. There are two ways for seniors 65+ to receive discount tickets:
- Senior membership: Those 65+ may purchase a $75 membership at the discounted price of $50. Members receive $9 tickets to all screenings, every day of the year. This senior membership special is available at the box office or online.
- Senior-priced tickets: All Seniors 65+ pay $11 for shows Monday – Friday which begin before 5pm.
Proof of age required to receive these senior discounts.
Q: Is there a discount for people with disabilities?
A: Yes. There are two ways to receive the discount ticket price for people with disabilities:
- Membership for people with disabilities: Those with government or MTA-issued proof of disability may purchase a $75 membership at the discounted price of $50. Members receive $9 tickets to all screenings, every day of the year. This membership is available at the box office or online.
- Tickets for people with disabilities: Pay $11 for shows Monday – Friday which begin before 5pm.
Government or MTA-issued proof of disability required to receive these discounts.
Q: Is there a student discount?
A: Yes. There are two ways to receive the discount ticket price for students:
Student membership: Students who are currently enrolled in school may purchase a $75 membership at the discounted price of $50. Members receive $9 tickets to all screenings, every day of the year. The student membership is available at the box office or online. A valid student ID must be presented at time of purchase.
Student-priced tickets: Pay $11 for shows Monday – Friday which begin before 5pm. A valid student ID must be presented at time of purchase.
A: Yes. We offer a reduced rate of $9 per ticket (vs. $15 regular admission) for school or nonprofit groups. Group sales must be booked in advance and can pay with cash or check. We encourage teachers with students to attend on this basis. Please email Sonya Chung at sonya@filmforum.org.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Q: What do I do if I've lost or had my membership card stolen?
A: You must have a card to receive your discounted tickets. If you need a new card, call the Membership and Database Manager, Camila Jones, at 212-627-2035 from 10 AM through 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Or email Camila Jones. Your old card will be invalidated electronically and a new one will be issued.
Q: How do I get on your mailing list, change my address or remove myself from your list?
A: Call 212-627-2035, or email us.
Q: I'm receiving duplicate calendars. How do I stop this?
A: We make every effort to remove duplicates from our mailing list. If you receive more than one calendar, please send us the actual mailing label of the duplicate you would like removed. You can also email or call us at 212-627-2035 from 10 AM through 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
Q: How do I sign up for your weekly newsletter email?
A: Enter in your email address in the GET EMAIL NEWS section in the right-hand navigation bar right below the events listings, or go here
Q: How do I get off your email newsletter list?
A: Click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email newsletter, call 212-627-2035 from 10 AM through 5 PM, Monday through Friday, or email us.
Q: Do you make grants to filmmakers?
A: No. Film Forum is a nonprofit cinema that exhibits films; however, we do offer a fiscal sponsorship program for filmmakers who need a nonprofit conduit for their fundraising. For more information click here.
Q: How do I locate a page or piece of information on your site?
A: Use the Search field at the bottom of the right-hand toolbar.