New York’s leading movie house for independent premieres and repertory programming
A nonprofit cinema since 1970
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New York’s leading movie house for independent premieres and repertory programming
A nonprofit cinema since 1970
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| FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
Q: How do I locate a page or piece of information
on your site?
For information about a specific film, go to our Film Source menu, or, use our Search Page. ABOUT FILM FORUM: TICKET BUYING: DONATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS, NEWSLETTER & MAILING LIST: ANSWERS:ABOUT FILM FORUM:Q: How did Film Forum come into being? A: Film Forum was founded by two young cineastes, Peter Feinstein and Sandy Miller, in 1970, with a $2000 investment and a tiny 16mm Bell & Howell projector. They rented a small loft space on the West 88th Street, outfitted it with 50 folding chairs and a big coffee pot, and began showing what were then considered “underground” movies. Karen Cooper became director in 1972 and has grown Film Forum into the New York City cultural institution it is today. Under Karen’s leadership, Film Forum moved downtown to the Vandam Theater in 1975, In 1980, she led the construction of a twin cinema on Watts Street. Finally, in 1989, when the Watts Street cinema was demolished by developers, Film Forum’s current 3-screen cinema on West Houston Street was built. Film Forum reopened at 209 W Houston Street in September, 1990. Q: What is Film Forum's mission? Q: How is Film Forum different from regular commercial movie houses? A: We present 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. We are the only autonomous nonprofit cinema in New York City, and one of the few in the nation. Our operating income comes from a combination of earned income (ticket sales, concession, merchandise, gift cards) and funding from private and public sources. Because we raise a portion of our budget, we are not as beholden to “the bottom line” as commercial theaters and are thus able to take risks in our programming. We mount extensive in-house publicity and marketing campaigns for each film, committing resources which independent filmmakers and small distributors could not otherwise afford. Our programs are regularly covered in The New York Times, Village Voice, Daily News, New York Post, Time Out NY, New Yorker, New York Magazine, The New Republic and The Nation. Film Forum publicizes through press releases sent to over 600 press contacts weekly; with program calendars mailed to 23,000 people six times annually (full print run is 53,000 each); and through our Web site (www.filmforum.org), updated and visited by an average of 4700 individuals daily. Paid advertising is taken out weekly in The New York Times, The Village Voice and Time Out New York. We offer a multi-level membership program that affords considerable savings on ticket purchases and a host of other benefits. Q: How do I get to Film Forum (map & directions)? A: Film Forum is located at 209 West Houston Street, between 6th Avenue & 7th Avenue (which is called Varick Street this far downtown). Click here for a map, directions and public transportation information. Q: How do I contact Film Forum? A: Click here for Film Forum contact information. Q: What are Film Forum's business hours? A: Our administrative offices are open from 9 AM through 5 PM, from Monday through Friday. The box office is open from 12:30 PM to midnight daily. For information about when tickets go on sale, see When can I buy tickets?. Q: What is the film selection process? A: Film Forum director Karen Cooper selects premieres (new films), with the assistance of Mike Maggiore, Programmer and Publicist. Bruce Goldstein, Director of Repertory Programming, programs revivals of classics, festivals and directors’ retrospectives. Premieres: Premiere programming begins with a rigorous, comprehensive overview of current world cinema which is distilled to the most exemplary films. Staff travel extensively to film festivals in Berlin, Sundance, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Rotterdam and Amsterdam annually, and read film publications from around the world, to identify the best in new domestic and international cinema. Programming staff request videotapes and DVDs from filmmakers and preview films 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 receive a public forum for the first time. To submit a film for consideration, see the next question. Repertory Program: Director of Repertory Programming Bruce Goldstein is committed to the presentation of Hollywood and international classics and re-discoveries, and to bringing new audiences and critical attention to the screen’s masters through its comprehensive retrospectives. He regularly programs rare films curated from the world’s archives/collectors and secures new 35mm prints of classics (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). Film Forum’s repertory program also creates interest in previously-unexamined areas of film history, unearthing such forgotten works as the Pre-Code films of the early talkie era or the early sound Vitaphone shorts that brought Broadway and vaudeville acts to the screen. Q: How do I submit a film to be considered for exhibition at Film Forum? A: Due to the volume of submissions, WE DO NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED TAPES. To submit your film for consideration, please fax to 212-627-2471 or e-mail Mike Maggiore the following information:
IF we are interested in previewing your film, we will contact you with further instructions. We ask that you DO NOT FOLLOW UP with phone calls or e-mails. TICKET BUYINGQ: Can I buy tickets online? A: YES. Tickets may be purchased online here, up to 7 days in advance and up to 30 minutes before showtime, for single features. We accept all major credit cards: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. There is a $1 service charge per ticket. For more information about the process of buying tickets online, see next question. Q: How do I buy tickets online? A: To buy tickets online:
NOTE:
Q: When can I buy tickets? A: Tickets sold at the box office are sold only for day of show, beginning at 12:30. You may buy tickets for single features online up to 7 days in advance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Double Features:
Q: What is the price of movie tickets? A: Tickets are $11.00. Members, children under 12, senior citizens at certain times (see next question), and groups, pay $6.00. For more information about our reduced ticket price policy, click here. Q: Is there a discount for senior citizens? A: Yes. Seniors pay $6.00, Monday-Friday for shows which begin before 5 PM only. At all other times seniors must pay full price. For an explanation of our Senior Ticket policy, click here. Q: What is playing today? A: The current schedule for the day is located at NOW PLAYING. Q: How can I find out what films are coming up? A: Go to our COMING SOON page for a list of films that are currently scheduled to play at Film Forum. A calendar view of our schedule for the next few weeks is available here. Q: What does "double feature" mean? A: Certain programs, marked as Double Features, feature 2 films, running alternately in the same theater. When we run films as double features, you pay for 1 ticket, and you are able to watch both films. You can see either film first. . All double features are clearly marked on our website. Look for this sign:  or the text: "2 FILMS FOR 1 ADMISSION" For more information about our double feature ticket sales policy, click here. Q: Where do I find out about films that are being held over, or are not listed in your printed calendar for some other reason? A: For the latest schedule information and information not in our printed calendar, please check our Web site's NOW PLAYING, COMING SOON, and CALENDAR pages, or see our advertising in the Village Voice, Time Out NY and The New York Times (Wednesday/ Friday/Sunday). DONATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS, NEWSLETTER & MAILING LIST Q: Can I make donations online? Q: How does the membership program work & how do I become a membser? A: Full information & application form are found on our MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Page. You can join and/or renew an existing membership at the box office, through the mail and online. Q: What do I do if I've lost or had stolen my membership card? A: You must have a card to receive your discounted tickets. If you need a new card, call the Membership Coordinator, Craig Balan, at 212-627-2035 from 10 AM through 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Or e-mail Craig Balan. If, after a new card has been reissued, your original card turns up, destroy it. Q: How do I get on your mailing list? A: To get on our mailing list, call 212-627-2035, or e-mail us . Q: How do I get on your e-mail newsletter list? A: Click here for the e-mail list form, fill out a blue card at the theater box office, call 212-627-2035 from 10 AM through 5 PM, Monday through Friday, or e-mail us. Q: How do I get OFF your e-mail newsletter list? A: Click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the e-mail newsletter, call 212-627-2035 from 10 AM through 5 PM, Monday through Friday, or e-mail us. Q: How do I change my address/contact information? A: Call 212-627-2035 from 10 AM through 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Or e-mail us. After hours, you can also leave a voicemail. Q: I'm receiving duplicate calendars - how do I stop this? A: We are making 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. Or, you can e-mail or call us at 212-627-2035 from 10 AM through 5 PM, Monday through Friday . |