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.

Like most non-profit specialty cinemas, 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 and nitrate).

In order to provide the high-quality programming and theatrical exhibition at our theatres, we depend on memberships and donations. 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 advance screenings 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 2023)
• 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.

You are allowed to bring a non-member guest to a Members’ Only event if as a member you have secured the appropriate number of RSVPs for the screening and are able to present your digital membership card for validation. However, please bear in mind that your guest must be present with you for admission of entry.

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.

First, be sure you are logged into your account. Click your NAME and QR icon on the top bar – the link will take you directly  to your Digital Member ID card. When you renew your membership, the Digital Card will automatically update with your new expiration date and membership level.

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 Digital Membership Card handy! Your card will be checked at the door to authenticate your membership.

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.