Film Forum

Planning a Visit to Film Forum

Film Forum is one of the few remaining nonprofit cinemas in Manhattan, and its programming reflects that independence. The calendar typically runs on two tracks at once: first-run engagements of independent documentaries and international features that may not play anywhere else in the city, and repertory series built around a director, a performer, a genre or a newly restored print. Many restorations open here for a week or two before touring other art houses, which is why the downtown run often becomes the first chance New Yorkers have to see a classic on a big screen in decades.

Getting the most out of a repertory run

Repertory series at Film Forum can move quickly, with double features and titles that screen for only a day or two. A few habits help:

• Check the official calendar early. Series schedules are posted in advance, and single-day screenings of popular titles can sell out.
• Buy tickets ahead for restoration premieres. Opening weekends of a major restoration tend to draw the longest lines on Houston Street.
• Arrive with time to spare. The auditoriums are modest in size, so seating choice is better for those who show up early.
• Consider membership if you go often. Nonprofit cinemas like this one rely on member support, and the official site explains current benefits.

Getting there

The theater sits on West Houston Street between the West Village and SoHo, an easy walk from several subway lines. Public transit is usually the simplest option, since street parking in the area is limited. The surrounding neighbourhood has plenty of cafes and restaurants, which makes a pre-show meal or a post-screening conversation easy to arrange.

Why it matters for film coverage

Because Film Forum often hosts New York openings for documentaries and foreign-language films, it is a useful barometer for which smaller releases are building word of mouth. When a title debuts here, it frequently expands to other cities in the following weeks. Keep an eye on our upcoming releases for related openings, and browse the trailers section to preview films before their downtown premieres.