About

Founded in 2001, the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a cultural and creative hub that gathers audiences, students, and filmmakers to experience the joy of film and learn about the craft, ourselves, and each other. This mission comes alive through a robust roster of programs for students and audiences of all ages. We foster an engaged community through the power of film, while inspiring a lifelong love for cinema and media arts.

One of the most successful suburban art houses in the country, we celebrate film as a vehicle for entertainment, education, and inspiration.

Each year, over 200,000 people come through our doors to see more than 400 films from current releases to foreign cinema, documentaries to curated series. Our audiences experience over 100 special events every year featuring in-depth conversations with filmmakers, actors, authors, and activists to live music performances and custom-crafted receptions with local chefs. Check out our highlights of special guests we have welcomed over the years.

Located on the top floor of our Theater, the Take 3 Wine Bar & Café offers our guests a new elevated entertainment experience by serving gourmet bites, fine wines, craft beers, non-alcoholic drinks, brewed beverages, and other locally sourced delectable treats against the backdrop of captivating art exhibits.

Just down the street from our cinema complex is the JBFC Media Arts Lab, a 27,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that houses our education programs for students of all ages and adults. The Lab features a 60-seat screening room, a sound stage, sixteen editing suites, an animation studio, a recording studio, four small studios, and a large Center Studio.

The JBFC’s programs serve  education programs more than 5,000 students from over 60 schools and community organizations each year. Through our commitment to removing barriers to entry, 70% of these students come from under-resourced schools and participate free of charge.  Our after-school programs provide scholarships, financial aid, and stipends to offset lost wages and transportation costs to and from the JBFC campus.

Since 2009, the JBFC has hosted dozens of artists-in-residents from more than 20 countries, ranging from breakout artists to renowned filmmakers including Academy Award winner Bong Joon-ho. The Residence for Visiting Artists is conveniently located next door to the Media Arts Lab.

The JBFC is grateful for the generosity of our community. The invaluable support of our members, donors, and sponsors is vital to advancing our mission.

Please consider joining as a member or making a fully tax-deductible donation to further the JBFC’s vibrant film, education, and artist programs.

Take a look at our 15th Anniversary Timeline, including video clips of special guests.

Want to stay up to date on what’s happening at the JBFC? Make sure to sign up for our ebulletin HERE.