Membership FAQs

The American Cinematheque is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural arts organization. Member support directly helps to sustain the non-profit’s ongoing public film programming throughout the year, as well as free members-only screenings.

Like most non-profit art-house movie theatres, the AC’s primary source of funding is the box office, where the box office and concessions are responsible for about 60% of the budget – leaving the remainder to be raised through our Membership Program and General Fundraising to support our repertory cinema programs and events, and the continued retro-format exhibition of celluloid film (35mm & 70mm).

In order to provide the high-quality programming and theatrical exhibition at our theatres, as well as our free virtual events, we depend on memberships, donations, sponsorships and special events. We appreciate our members and the vital support their dues provide.

Apart from helping to support the American Cinematheque(!), benefits are dependent on the membership level. All memberships (regardless of level) share the following benefits:

• $5 off regularly priced tickets
• Access to 1000+ films per year in 35mm, 70mm and rare nitrate as well as state-of-the-art digital projection and presentation
• Invitations to Members-Only sneak previews and special events
• Exclusive live Q&As and discussions with filmmakers and luminaries
• Screenings at historic theatres: Aero Theatre, Los Feliz 3 and the Egyptian Theatre (grand reopening 2022)
• Priority Line Entry
• Special discounts

To browse through all Membership levels and benefits, click here.

• To join online, click here. Ticket discounts are valid immediately.

Essentially, you will go through the steps of buying a Membership – except you’ll have a Coupon Code to apply during checkout.

• Visit the membership page of the AC website.
• Click SIGN UP NOW next to the type of membership you were gifted (For example, if you were gifted a Film Club Membership, click to add that membership to your cart by clicking Sign Up Now – do NOT click Gift a Membership)
• During checkout, you will be able to apply the coupon code that is unique to your gift membership and included in the gift letter. Enter the coupon number and click APPLY.
• The amount due will change to $0.00
• Proceed through checkout. You’ll get a Membership Confirmation email that includes your membership number once the membership redemption is completed.
• You can then login and begin to use your membership immediately.

You can login to your American Cinematheque Membership account using the same email you used to purchase the membership originally.

Click here to sign in or reset your password.

No. Memberships are non-transferable.

Once you login to your online member account, click the ‘MY MEMBERSHIP‘ tab of your account dashboard. You can view your account details, including your membership number as well as the expiration date.

Note: you must be logged into your online account for any membership benefits to apply to your online orders.

No, membership benefits (including additional time) does not carry over to the following membership year. Note that the date of your renewal will reflect your new expiration date for the following year.

Additionally, expired Members are not able to redeem Membership Benefits retroactively. Benefits can only be used and applied for active members.

Once you login to your online member account, click ‘MY MEMBERSHIP‘ tab of your account dashboard. You can view all your account details, including expiration date.

Be sure you are signing in using the email address you originally used to purchase your membership. You can click to reset your password if it’s the correct email, but the password isn’t working.

Do NOT click reset multiple times! It takes up to a few minutes for the reset notification to come through to your inbox.

Still having issues? Email [email protected] with as many details as possible (including original date of purchase) and someone will get back to you soon.

Once you login to your online member account, click ‘MY MEMBERSHIP‘ tab of your account dashboard.

Select ‘PRINT CARD’ option on the page.

You can print and keep in your wallet OR store a digital copy on your phone.

Be sure you’re logged in before you click to add tickets to your cart, or RSVP to members-only events. The Membership discounts and benefits will apply automatically during the checkout process.

When at the theatre, line up in the “Member Line” for entry. Be sure to have your Membership card handy! You may be checked at the door to authenticate your membership.

• *11/16/21: All Memberships purchased or renewed on or after November 16, 2021 have updated benefits that no longer include Free Member Vouchers or Free Shirts (Friend-Level and Above). Current Members expiring on or before November 15, 2022 will still qualify to redeem their vouchers at Box Office Only , provided that the vouchers have not already been redeemed, and so long as their membership is still active. Friend Level and above Members expiring on or before November 15, 2022 will still qualify to redeem their free member t-shirt at the Box Office (provided they have not already redeemed this benefit).
• Expired Members are not able to redeem vouchers or any other Membership Benefits retroactively. Benefits can only be applied for active members.
• Vouchers are available for in-person Box Office Redemption ONLY, and only available on the day of the event – vouchers are not currently available for redemption through our online ticketing.
• Vouchers are only available for regularly priced shows ONLY (not for 70mm screenings or other shows categorized as Special Events)
• In person at the Box Office, Members must show their Member cards, telephone number and present a valid photo I.D. when purchasing tickets and/or using the priority entrance line.
• Members are not currently able to view the total number of vouchers remaining through the online member portal. If you want to know the current number of vouchers remaining with your membership plan, you can either email the Membership Desk, or inquire at the Box Office.

We don’t offer upgrades to active and existing memberships. As the AC is a non-profit, each membership is categorized as a charitable contribution, and is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

We allow for upgrades only if the new Membership was purchased within the last two weeks. 

In order to upgrade (even before your current membership has lapsed!) you’re more than welcome to purchase the new membership by visiting the Membership page.

Your new Membership will be effective immediately and will replace the old one in the system. Your Membership will be valid for 1 year from the date you purchase it.

• Follow the American Cinematheque on Social – Twitter, Instagram and Facebook – for the latest programming announcements.
• The AC emails a newsletter with the latest schedule. Please make sure [email protected] is added to your contact list so the email doesn’t hit a junk/spam filter!
• Visit the Now Showing section of AmericanCinematheque.com to see the latest schedule.

We do not offer refunds or exchanges for Memberships. Memberships are charitable contributions for the American Cinematheque 501(c)(3). They are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.