About the Film Forum Ticket Settlement
Movie theater customers who purchased tickets online from Film Forum may be eligible to participate in a class action settlement recently submitted to the New York courts.
The settlement resolves allegations that the company violated state law by failing to disclose handling fees during online ticket purchases.
What prompted the lawsuit?
On July 30, 2025, Film Forum agreed to resolve claims that it violated state law through its online ticketing practices from August 29, 2022, through March 6, 2025.
About Film Forum
Film Forum is a nonprofit cinema in New York City, located in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan. It’s one of the leading venues for independent and foreign films in the United States.
Migration to digital ticketing
In late 2022, the theater's online ticketing platform adopted digital sales channels designed to meet customer expectations for convenient purchasing. However, plaintiffs argue that the implementation of handling fees on these platforms created legal issues that sparked a class action lawsuit.
Non-disclosure allegations
According to the complaint, consumers who bought movie tickets through Film Forum's website during the class period encountered an alleged handling fee, which attorneys argue wasn't appropriately disclosed during the purchase process.
Film Forum denies any wrongdoing in this matter, maintaining that its fee disclosures complied with applicable laws.
New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law
Attorneys for the plaintiffs have argued that New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 25.07(4) mandates clear and conspicuous disclosure of all fees associated with ticket purchases in the state.
The statute specifically requires venues to display any additional charges prior to the ticket being selected for sale, not after they've already selected their seats or showings.
Handling fees in controversy
Film Forum allegedly displayed its $1.50 handling fee only after customers had progressed through the initial stages of their purchase.
According to the lawsuit, the timing mattered because consumers made purchasing decisions based on advertised prices and perceived the hidden fees—discovered later during checkout—as deceptive, even if unintentional.
When multiplied across thousands of transactions, attorneys for the plaintiffs argued, even a modest $1.50 fee represents significant revenue and now requires substantial restitution to affected class members.
Who May Qualify for the Film Forum Settlement
Individuals wishing to take part in this theater surcharge settlement must meet specific criteria:
- Geographic requirement: Must be a U.S. resident.
- Purchase location: Purchased tickets through Film Forum's website.
- Fee payment: Must have paid the alleged handling fee during checkout.
- Time frame: Purchase must have occurred between August 29, 2022, and March 6, 2025.
Consumers who received a settlement notice via email are automatically included in the class. The notice contains a unique ID and confirmation code, which members will need to file a claim.
However, not receiving a notice doesn't disqualify moviegoers from this settlement.
Film Forum's records might not have captured every eligible transaction, especially when email addresses change or when customers made purchases using different contact information.
Individuals who did not receive a settlement letter from Film Forum must verify their eligibility by contacting the settlement administrator at 844-467-2145.
Proposed Settlement Benefit Structure
The Film Forum class action settlement offers a potential cash payment of $4.16 to all eligible class members.
The possible fixed payment amount remains constant regardless of the number of people filing claims. This no-proration guarantee ensures that early filers won't receive more benefits than those who submit claims closer to the deadline.
Payment options available:
- Traditional paper check
- PayPal transfer
- Venmo payment
- Zelle transfer
The settlement also includes injunctive relief that compels Film Forum to modify its website and clearly or conspicuously display handling fees when ticket prices first appear.
How to File Your Claim
The settlement administrator has established an online-only submission process. No paper forms accepted.
Claimants with settlement notices
Visit filmforumticketfeesettlement.com and locate the claim submission portal.
- Enter the unique notice ID and your confirmation code.
- Add contact information.
- Select preferred payment method.
Claimants with settlement notices
Movie fans who purchased tickets from the Film Forum ticketing platform but didn't receive a settlement notice must contact the settlement administrator at 844-467-2145 to determine eligibility.
Representatives will search for transactions during the class period and, if found, provide the necessary credentials to file an online claim.
Important Deadlines
- December 10, 2025: Deadline for claim submissions.
- December 15, 2025: Final opportunity to opt out of the settlement or file objections.
- December 20, 2025: Final fairness hearing, where the court will consider any objections and decide whether to grant final approval.
The settlement administrator will process eligible payments approximately 60 days following final approval, assuming no appeals delay the process.
Visit filmforumticketfeesettlement.com to learn more about the lawsuit, eligibility, or access complete settlement information about this settlement.
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