Film Forum
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The New York City cinema Film Forum began in 1970 as an alternative screening space for independent films, with 50 folding chairs, one projector and a US$19,000 annual budget. Karen Cooper became director in 1972 and under her leadership, Film Forum moved downtown to the Vandam Theater in 1975. In 1980, Cooper 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 Houston Street cinema was built. Today, Film Forum is a 3-screen cinema open 365 days a year, with 275,000 annual admissions, 462 seats, 55 employees, 4600 members and a nearly US$4 million operating budget. Film Forum is the only autonomous nonprofit cinema in New York City and one of the few in the United States of America.
Film Forum presents two distinct, complementary film programs – NYC theatrical premieres of American independents and foreign art films, programmed by Cooper and Mike Maggiore; and, since 1987, repertory selections including foreign and American classics, genre works, festivals and directors’ retrospectives, programmed by Bruce Goldstein. The third screen is dedicated to extended runs of popular selections from both programs, as well as new films for longer engagements.
Film Forum is committed to presenting an international array of films that treat diverse social, political, historical and cultural realities. Film Forum’s programs are thoughtfully curated, with attention to unique cinematic qualities, historical importance individually or within a genre and, particularly for documentaries, relevance to today’s world.
Film Forum has not been immune from criticism. In addition to the developers who sadly did away with the Watts Street facility, some have criticized Film Forum as behaving like a self-appointed arbiter of relevance and culture. Most, however, appreciate the alternative venue for films that would otherwise not have an outlet for those looking for the very best in obscure independent films.
