Jacob Burns Film Center

What Jacob Burns Film Center does

The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural arts organization headquartered in Pleasantville, New York, founded in 1998 by Steve Apkon and operating a 47,500-square-foot, three-building campus that includes a five-screen movie theater (the JBFC Theater), the Media Arts Lab (a media education and production facility), the Residence for International Filmmakers, and the recently launched Take 3 Wine Bar & Café (opened April 11, 2024). The organization's primary function is curating and presenting independent, foreign, documentary, and repertory cinema, supplemented by visual literacy education programs and a filmmaker artist residency program that supports 6–10 projects annually through partnerships with Sundance Institute, Close Up Initiative, and multiple international documentary festivals.

JBFC operates a hybrid revenue model spanning transactional ticket sales (per-screening fees ranging from $20 for members to $25 for non-members on select titles), a subscription-style membership program (annual fees with perks including lowest ticket pricing, free popcorn on Wednesdays, and member-only events), donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and government sources (Federal Tax ID 13-4038441; past grants include $1.5M from the Jacob Burns Foundation, $20M Campaign for 21st Century Education, $1M from Kathryn W. Davis, and a $30,000 NEA grant), course fees for adult education programs (e.g., $425 for an eight-week cinema studies course), and on-site food and beverage service through Take 3 Wine Bar & Café (85 seats, Thursday–Sunday operations, featuring local purveyors and a menu designed by Laureen Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns).

JBFC serves multiple distinct customer segments: K–12 schools and teachers in Westchester County and beyond (over 6,000 students and teachers annually engaged through Classroom to Screening Room, Lab Field Trips, and Professional Development programs, with 70%+ of school participants attending free of charge); adult learners in filmmaking, screenwriting, acting, and cinema studies; film enthusiasts through membership and ticketed programming; and domestic and international independent filmmakers via residencies offering housing, editing suites, and a $500 weekly stipend. Long-tenured programming staff (Ryan Harrington, Monica Castillo, Chris Holliday) and educational partnerships (NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Westchester Library System) underpin operational continuity.

Name

Jacob Burns Film Center

Legal name

Jacob Burns Film Center

Website

https://burnsfilmcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Jacob Burns Film Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural arts center in Pleasantville, NY, operating a five-screen theater, media education lab, and international filmmaker residency serving independent cinema audiences, K–12 schools, adult learners, and documentary filmmakers across the Westchester region and beyond.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Cinema and Film Education Center

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Cultural Screenings (Museums, Cultural Centers) (MPADAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ), Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional) (MPADAKAF), Programming, Booking & Repertory Exhibition Services (MPADAKAL), Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA)

Keywords

• Independent film screenings
• Media arts education
• Filmmaker residency programs
• Film preservation events
• Cinema exhibition services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pleasantville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from film screenings at five-screen theater, including first-run releases, repertory programming, and special event screenings.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership providing discounted tickets, free popcorn on Wednesdays, and exclusive member promotions.
3. Donations and Grants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships. Federal Tax ID: 13-4038441.
4. Take 3 Wine Bar & Café: On-site wine bar and café offering food, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages to moviegoers. Opened April 11, 2024. Seating for up to 85 people. Open Thursday-Saturday.
5. Education Programs: Course fees for adult education including filmmaking, screenwriting, and cinema studies courses. Examples: Frame by Frame course at $425.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Jacob Burns Film Center is a nonprofit cultural arts organization that operates a five-screen cinema in Pleasantville, NY, screening first-run independent, documentary, world, and repertory films. Beyond exhibition, it runs a Media Arts Lab delivering visual literacy and media arts education to over 6,000 teachers and students annually, hosts an international Artist Residency program for filmmakers, and offers an on-site wine bar and café to enhance the filmgoing experience. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, memberships, course fees, donations, grants, sponsorships, and café operations.

Product overview

The Jacob Burns Film Center is a nonprofit cultural arts organization operating as a unified campus in Pleasantville, NY, comprising the JBFC Theater (five screens for film screenings), the Media Arts Lab (education facility with production equipment), and Take 3 Wine Bar & Café (food and beverage service). Core offerings include film programming with new releases and repertory series, education programs for students and adults, and an artist residency program. Supporting offerings include membership, gift cards, and gallery exhibitions. The organization uses its online platform for ticket sales, membership management, and email communications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Take 3 Wine Bar & Café: Wine bar and café located on the top floor of the Theater offering local delicacies, fine wines, craft beer, coffee, and kid-friendly fare
• Media Arts Lab
• Residence for International Filmmakers

Products and services

• JBFC Theater (Film Screenings) Five-screen movie theater showing first-run independent films, repertory screenings, world cinema, and special programming with filmmaker Q&As. Located at 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville, NY. Tickets sold online at shop.burnsfilmcenter.org and at the box office.
• Media Arts Lab 47,500 sq. ft. media education and production facility at 405 Manville Rd., Pleasantville, NY, offering 16 editing suites, a recording studio, soundstage, 60-seat screening room, animation studio, large Center Studio, and four small studios for media arts education programs across all experience levels.
• Take 3 Wine Bar & Café On-site wine bar and café on the top floor of the Theater offering local food, fine wines, craft beer, craft cocktails, coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages to moviegoers. Open Thursdays-Saturdays; designed by Laureen Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns.
• Education Programs Visual literacy and media arts education programs including Classroom to Screening Room, What's the Story?, Lab Field Trips, Professional Development for teachers, JBFC Camp, and All Ages series. Engages over 6,000 teachers and students annually; majority of school participants attend free of charge with busing provided based on need.
• Adult Continuing Education Courses Multi-week adult continuing education courses in film studies, screenwriting, filmmaking, acting technique, animation, and video production. Examples include 'Frame by Frame: The A24 Aesthetic' ($425 for 8 sessions) and Cinema Studies courses co-developed with NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
• Artist Residency Program International filmmaker residency program providing time, space, and support with private three-bedroom housing, a dedicated editing suite, a $500 weekly stipend, and full access to Media Arts Lab facilities (50-seat screening room, soundstage, recording studio, editing suites). Supports 6-10 projects annually through partnerships with Sundance Institute, Close Up Initiative, and multiple international festivals.
• Membership Program Annual theater membership providing the lowest ticket price daily, free popcorn on Wednesdays, no online fees, and additional $2 off member tickets during special promotions.
• Director's Cut: Emerging Screenwriter Fellowship High school screenwriting fellowship in collaboration with NYU Tisch School of the Arts, led by NYU Tisch Adjunct Instructor Jeremy J. Kamps. Free for accepted students; includes a $1,000 stipend for transportation and lost wages, industry-standard equipment access, mentorship, and a culminating table read with professional actors.
• Gift Cards Gift card program redeemable for theater tickets and concessions, with balance checking available at burnsfilmcenter.org/gift-card-balance/.
• Next Gen Program Community program for movie lovers aged 21-40 featuring Next Gen Kickback events, social gatherings, and member-only invitations to special screenings and events.
• Jane Peck Gallery Exhibitions Art gallery space on the third floor of the Theater hosting exhibitions related to current film programming, including movie poster exhibitions such as the Bill Gold: 70 Years of Iconic Movie Poster Designs exhibit presented in partnership with Poster House.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,000+ teachers and students reached annually through education programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and peripheral.

• NYU Tisch School of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration on Director's Cut: Emerging Screenwriter Fellowship for high school students; NYU Tisch Adjunct Instructor Jeremy J. Kamps leads the program. Also partners on Cinema Studies courses including Beyond Suspicion: Alfred Hitchcock and After the Golden Age: Movie Musicals Since 1955.
• Close Up InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and development program for emerging documentary filmmakers from Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA). Supported development of 60+ feature-length documentary projects. Partners with JBFC Artist Residency program.
• Sundance Institute Documentary Film ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJBFC Artist Residency hosts projects in late stages of editing process through partnership with Sundance Institute.
• CPH:Forum (Copenhagen)peripheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of several international festival partnerships selecting projects for JBFC Artist Residency.
• Points North InstituteperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partnership selecting projects for JBFC Artist Residency through Points North Pitch.
• Docs IrelandperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partnership selecting projects for JBFC Artist Residency award.
• Ji.hlava International Documentary Film FestivalperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partnership selecting projects for JBFC Artist Residency.
• Dok LeipzigperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partnership selecting projects for JBFC Artist Residency.
• FID ForumperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partnership selecting projects for JBFC Artist Residency.
• Millennium Docs Against GravityperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partnership selecting projects for JBFC Artist Residency.
• Westchester Library SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Westchester Library System for JBFC Kids Saturday programming. Family-friendly screenings presented in partnership.
• Scenic HudsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus on Nature environmental documentary series presented in partnership with Scenic Hudson.
• Groundwork Hudson ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus on Nature environmental documentary series presented in partnership with Groundwork Hudson Valley.
• Academy Film ArchiveperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Restored and Rediscovered: A Film Preservation Festival.
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)peripheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for film preservation festival; provided restored prints for screenings.
• George Eastman MuseumperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Restored and Rediscovered: A Film Preservation Festival.
• Janus FilmsperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for film preservation festival.
• Kino LorberperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for film preservation festival.
• Vinegar SyndromeperipheralStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm preservation organization partnered for festival programming.
• Local Food and Beverage SuppliersperipheralChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTake 3 Wine Bar & Café sources from Second Mouse Cheese Shop, Irving Farm, Posh Pretzels, Feel Good Booch, Balthazar, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Soul Brewing Company, and Thompson's Cider Mill.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Film Forum: Nonprofit three-screen art-house cinema in NYC specializing in independent, documentary, foreign, and repertory films, with curated series and filmmaker events. Closely mirrors JBFC's nonprofit art-house exhibition model.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Nonprofit independent cinema in Brookline, MA, operating multiple screens with repertory, educational programming, and community events. Highly comparable nonprofit art-house model with education programming like JBFC.
• Metrograph: Independent cinema, restaurant, and bookshop in NYC's Lower East Side programming new restorations, repertory, and independent film with a food-and-beverage component similar to JBFC's Take 3. Comparable urban art-house operator with integrated F&B.
• IFC Center: Independent art-house cinema in Greenwich Village, NYC, operating multiple screens focused on independent, documentary, and repertory programming with Q&As and festivals. Most directly comparable arthouse/cultural-screening nonprofit operator in the NY metro.
• Gene Siskel Film Center: Nonprofit art-house cinema affiliated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, programming independent, international, and documentary films alongside education and filmmaker events. Comparable nonprofit cultural-organization cinema with educational mission.
• Anthology Film Archives: Nonprofit international resource for avant-garde and experimental cinema in NYC, operating as an exhibition, preservation, and filmmaker-residency organization. Comparable nonprofit mission and programming depth.
• Angelika Film Center: Arthouse cinema chain in NYC and other markets focused on independent, foreign, and documentary film exhibition. Closely comparable exhibitor in independent/world cinema space, though for-profit.

Broad incumbents

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: National dine-in cinema chain with curated independent and repertory programming at multiple locations. Relevant comparison as a broader operator with food-and-beverage and event-driven programming, though for-profit and multi-market.

Regional players

• Cinema Arts Centre: Nonprofit community cinema and cultural center in Huntington, Long Island, programming independent, foreign, and documentary films with education and special events. Comparable suburban NY nonprofit art-house model.

Others

• Sundance Institute (Artist Programs): Nonprofit Sundance Institute operates documentary and feature film labs, residencies, and grants and is a current partner feeding projects into JBFC's Artist Residency. Ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but useful peer for the artist-development and education programming model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jbfc_ny
• Facebookfacebook.com/jacobburnsfilmcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jacob-burns-film-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Jacob Burns Film Center