Published
October 24, 2025
Updated
July 29, 2026
This settlement resolves claims that the New York arthouse cinema Film Forum added an online handling fee that was not disclosed when the ticket price first appeared. Approved claimants were entitled to a flat $4.16, and the claim window closed in December 2025.
Current Status
Claims are closed. The deadlines to file a claim and to exclude yourself both passed on December 10, 2025, and filing was online-only — there was no downloadable paper claim form. The final approval hearing was scheduled for December 16, 2025 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. As of July 29, 2026, no final approval order and no payment date had been located in public sources. Under the settlement terms, payments were expected roughly 60 days after final approval and the resolution of any appeals.StatusClaims Closed — Final Approval Not ConfirmedHearing set for December 16, 2025; no order located as of July 29, 2026.
Claim DeadlineDecember 10, 2025New claims are not accepted.
Benefit$4.16 per approved claimFixed cash payment by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or paper check
Proof RequiredYesA Notice ID and Confirmation Code from the email notice were required to file.
What Was the Case About?
Plaintiffs alleged that Film Forum charged an online handling fee that was not clearly disclosed at the point the ticket price was first shown, in violation of New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 25.07(4). Film Forum denies wrongdoing and agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of litigation.As part of the settlement, Film Forum agreed to modify its website purchase flow so that any handling fee is clearly displayed, and to comply with ACAL § 25.07(4) going forward.
Who Was Covered?
The class covered all individuals in the United States who bought electronic tickets from the Film Forum website between August 29, 2022 and March 6, 2025 and paid a handling fee.How Much Did Claimants Get?
Each approved claimant was entitled to a fixed cash payment of $4.16 — not a pro rata share, so the amount did not vary with participation. Claimants could elect PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or a paper check. Checks expire 180 days from issue.What Proof Was Required?
No receipts or tickets were required, but filing was gated on the Notice ID and Confirmation Code sent in the email notice, and there was no paper alternative that bypassed them. Because an administrator-issued identifier was mandatory to submit any claim, this page is marked Proof Required: Yes. Class members who believed they qualified but never received a notice were directed to the official settlement website.What Happens Next?
The remaining steps were the court's ruling on final approval, resolution of any appeal, and distribution roughly 60 days afterward. No final approval order and no payment date had been located as of July 29, 2026. Updates are posted on the official settlement website.Official information is available at Film Forum Ticket Fee Settlement.
Important Dates
• Class period: August 29, 2022 through March 6, 2025• Preliminary approval: August 1, 2025
• Claim deadline: December 10, 2025
• Exclusion deadline: December 10, 2025
• Final approval hearing: December 16, 2025
Sources
• Official settlement website: Film Forum Ticket Fee Settlement• Order Granting Preliminary Approval (August 1, 2025)
• Kovacs v. Film Forum, Inc., Index No. 650686/2024, Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York
Official Settlement Agreement
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Settlement Fund
Approximately $413,000
Case Title
Kovacs v. Film Forum, Inc.
Index Number
650686/2024
Court
Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York
Class Period
August 29, 2022 – March 6, 2025
Claim Deadline
December 10, 2025
Final Approval Hearing
December 16, 2025
No ruling located as of July 29, 2026.
Status
Claims Closed — Final Approval Not Confirmed
Official Website
Film Forum Ticket Fee Settlement
