Film Forum

What Film Forum does

Film Forum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cinema founded in 1970 in New York City and currently operating a four-screen, nearly 500-seat venue at 209 West Houston Street in the West Village. The organization runs a dual programming model: NYC theatrical premieres of American independents, documentaries, and international features (programmed by Mike Maggiore and Ruth Somalo) alongside repertory selections of foreign and American classics, genre works, festivals, and directors' retrospectives (programmed by Founding Repertory Artistic Director Bruce Goldstein since 1987). Films are exhibited in Digital Cinema Projection (DCP) format across the four screens, with extended runs on popular selections and special events including filmmaker Q&As.

Film Forum serves approximately 250,000 annual admissions and over 6,000 paying members across eight tiers ($50-$2,500). Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth within the NYC cinephile community, email newsletters (FF Confidential), a podcast (Film Forum Presents), social media, and earned media. The business model combines transactional ticket revenue ($12 members / $18 general), recurring membership fees (over $500,000 annually), donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and public funders (NYSCA, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs), concessions and merchandise (including artist collaborations with Cindy Sherman and Maira Kalman), and earnings from a $6 million endowment seeded by a 2000 Ford Foundation gift. Approximately 50% of operating income is raised as contributions and roughly 80% of the $7 million operating budget is spent directly on programs.

The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by Director Tabitha Jackson, who assumed the role on February 23, 2026 following the 2023 retirement of Karen Cooper (director since 1972). Film Forum has expanded its programming and audience through sub-brands including Film Forum Jr. (family classic-film education), Young Film Forum (YFF, for cinephiles in their 20s-40s), a Documentary Fund, and a Fiscal Sponsorship program serving independent filmmakers. Its 2018 $5M renovation added a fourth screen and upgraded seating across all theaters. Film Forum has been named the 3rd best cinema in the world by Time Out and included in the Financial Times' list of 24 most breathtaking cinemas.

Name

Film Forum

Legal name

Film Forum, Inc.

Website

https://filmforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Film Forum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cinema founded in 1970 in NYC, operating a four-screen, ~500-seat venue at 209 West Houston Street. It programs independent premieres, documentaries, international films, and repertory classics to ~250,000 annual attendees and 6,000+ paying members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Cinema

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent & Art-house Cinemas (MPADAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community & Cultural Screenings (Museums, Cultural Centers) (MPADAKAH), Programming, Booking & Repertory Exhibition Services (MPADAKAL), Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

Keywords

• Independent film exhibition
• Art house cinema
• Repertory film programming
• Nonprofit film organization
• Classic film screenings

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from admission tickets to film screenings across four theaters. General admission $18, members $12.
2. Memberships: Annual membership program with multiple tiers ($50-$2,500) providing ticket discounts, event access, and exclusive benefits. Members contribute over $500,000 annually.
3. Donations and Grants: As a nonprofit, Film Forum raises approximately 50% of operating income from individual donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and public funders including NYSCA and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
4. Concessions and Merchandise: Sales of food/beverages at theater and merchandise including apparel, magnets, and artwork including Cindy Sherman prints.
5. Endowment Earnings: $6 million endowment begun in 2000 with Ford Foundation gift; earnings support programming and operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Film Forum operates a nonprofit four-screen cinema at 209 West Houston Street in NYC, presenting two complementary programs: NYC theatrical premieres of American independents, documentaries, and international features, plus repertory selections of foreign and American classics, genre works, festivals, and director retrospectives. Supporting offerings include Film Forum Jr. family programming, an annual membership program with multiple tiers, the Film Forum Presents podcast, branded merchandise, concessions, fiscal sponsorship for filmmakers, and Young Film Forum for younger cinephiles.

Product overview

Film Forum is a nonprofit cinema offering a dual program of NYC theatrical premieres of independent, documentary, and international films (programmed by Mike Maggiore and Ruth Somalo), and repertory selections featuring classics, retrospectives, and genre works (programmed by Bruce Goldstein). The organization operates four screens at its Houston Street location, with third and fourth screens dedicated to extended runs. Supporting offerings include Film Forum Jr. (family programming), a membership program with multiple tiers, the Film Forum Presents podcast, merchandise, documentary and fiscal sponsorship programs, and Young Film Forum (YFF) for members in their 20s-40s.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Film Forum Jr. A family film series featuring classic films for children and families, with discounted tickets and special programming.
• Young Film Forum (YFF)

Products and services

• Cinema Exhibition Program Daily theatrical exhibition across four screens at 209 West Houston Street, showing NYC premieres of American independents, documentaries, and international features (programmed by Mike Maggiore and Ruth Somalo) alongside repertory selections of foreign and American classics, retrospectives, and genre works (programmed by Bruce Goldstein). Third and fourth screens are dedicated to extended runs.
• Film Forum Jr. Family-friendly classic film programming series featuring curated screenings of classic comedies and films appropriate for children ages 5 and up, with educational materials and discounted tickets.
• Membership Program Annual membership program with tiers from $50 to $2,500 providing discounted tickets ($6 off general), filmmaker event invitations, insider newsletters (FF Confidential), merchandise discounts, sneak screenings, advance screenings, priority seating, and donor benefits.
• Film Forum Presents Podcast Podcast featuring special live events recorded at the theater and virtually, available on iTunes, Soundcloud, and Spotify.
• Film Forum Merchandise Branded merchandise including baseball caps ($30), magnets ($5), t-shirts ($24-$30 with member discount), tote bags ($20), and gift certificates starting at $20, including artist collaborations and Cindy Sherman prints.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Program allowing filmmakers to solicit and receive tax-deductible donations for specific film projects through Film Forum's 501(c)(3) status without creating their own nonprofit corporation.
• Documentary Fund

Quantifiable outcome

• 250,000 annual admissions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sabucat ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented in association for Laurel & Hardy two-week festival featuring over 50 classics. Sabucat (Jeff Joseph) contributed to restoration efforts and program development.
• Blackhawk Film CollectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Laurel & Hardy festival; Blackhawk Film Collection (Serge Bromberg) provided film materials for restorations.
• The Sons of the DesertminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaurel & Hardy appreciation society partnered for festival programming; Jack Roth acknowledged as Grand Sheik and Keeper of the Celluloid.
• New York Transit MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of NYC In Transit series celebrating Transit Museum's 50th anniversary. Series includes films about NYC transit: The Taking of Pelham 123, The Warriors, The Naked City, and more.
• Janus FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilm distribution company releasing films at Film Forum including Romería, Days and Nights in the Forest, and other premieres.
• Music Box FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilm distribution company releasing Ross McElwee's Sherman's March and REMAKE at Film Forum.
• Magnolia PicturescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution company releasing Late Fame at Film Forum.
• Kino LorbercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution company releasing Filipiñana at Film Forum.
• Strand ReleasingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution company releasing Barbara Forever at Film Forum.
• Greenwich EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution company releasing You Had To Be There and The Scout at Film Forum.
• Rialto PicturescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution company releasing The Third Man 35mm print at Film Forum.
• Zeitgeist FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution company releasing Guy Maddin's Careful at Film Forum.
• Film MovementcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution company releasing Promised Sky at Film Forum.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Nonprofit art-house cinema in Brookline, MA with similar repertory + new release programming model and nonprofit/community-supported mission, but serving a different geography.
• The Brattle Theatre: Nonprofit art-house repertory cinema in Cambridge, MA with classic film programming, filmmaker events, and similar nonprofit community-supported model.
• AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Nonprofit cultural center with art-house cinema in Silver Spring, MD featuring independent and repertory programming, filmmaker events, and a similar nonprofit mission.

Direct peers

• Quad Cinema: Four-screen art-house cinema in Greenwich Village operated by BAM. Similar multi-screen model, repertory + new release programming, and NYC cinephile audience.
• IFC Center: Independent art-house cinema in Greenwich Village, NYC showing independent, foreign, and repertory films. Operates multiple screens with similar programming mix and audience overlap with Film Forum.
• Metrograph: NYC art-house cinema on the Lower East Side featuring new independent releases, repertory programming, and a restaurant/café. Closely comparable model with similar cinephile audience.
• Film at Lincoln Center: NYC film society presenting major film festivals, retrospectives, and new releases year-round. Comparable repertory + new release programming model with cinephile audience focus.
• Anthology Film Archives: NYC nonprofit film institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting experimental, avant-garde, and independent cinema. Similar nonprofit model and cinephile audience.

Broad incumbents

• BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music): Major NYC performing arts and film presenter operating multiple venues including BAM Rose Cinemas for independent and repertory programming. Comparable in scale and nonprofit cultural mission.
• The Egyptian Theatre (co-owned by Netflix/Sundance): Historic movie palace in Park City now operated by the Sundance Institute for premieres, festivals, and repertory screenings. Comparable repertory + new release programming mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/filmforumnyc
• Facebookfacebook.com/filmforumnyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/film-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Film Forum