Published
March 21, 2025
Updated
July 29, 2026
This settlement resolves claims that the New York nonprofit Film at Lincoln Center failed to disclose a convenience fee on electronic tickets before checkout, as state law requires. It covered moviegoers who paid that fee, and the claim window closed in April 2025.
Current Status
Claims are closed. The deadline to submit a claim form was April 25, 2025, and the deadlines to exclude yourself or object both passed on April 21, 2025. The final approval hearing was scheduled for May 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings. As of July 29, 2026, no final approval order and no payment date had been located in public sources — a scheduled hearing is not an approval order.StatusClaims Closed — Final Approval Not ConfirmedHearing set for May 12, 2025; no order located as of July 29, 2026.
Claim DeadlineApril 25, 2025New claims are not accepted.
Settlement Fund$400,000Pro rata by total convenience fees paid and number of valid claims
Proof RequiredNoOnline filing used a Unique ID and PIN from the notice; the mailed paper form needed neither.
What Was the Case About?
The lawsuit alleged that Film at Lincoln Center, Inc. failed to properly disclose a convenience fee charged on electronic tickets before the point of purchase, in violation of New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 25.07(4), which requires that the total cost of a ticket — including fees — be shown up front. Film at Lincoln Center denies any wrongdoing and agreed to the settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.Film at Lincoln Center is a nonprofit founded in 1969 to present cinema, support new filmmakers and broaden public appreciation of film. It operates the Walter Reade Theater, the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center and the Francesca Beale Theater in New York City.
Who Was Covered?
The class covered people who purchased an electronic ticket to a Film at Lincoln Center theater between August 29, 2022 and February 21, 2024 and paid a convenience fee on that purchase.How Much Could Class Members Get?
Approved claimants were to receive a pro rata share of the $400,000 fund, calculated from the total convenience fees they paid and the number of valid, timely claims received by the deadline. No fixed per-person figure was published, so the amount depended on participation.Claimants could elect payment by ACH, check, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or another electronic method.
What Proof Was Required?
No proof of purchase was required. Filing online used the Unique ID and PIN from the email notice, or an email lookup to retrieve them. A class member without a Unique ID or PIN who believed they qualified could still file by downloading, printing and mailing a paper claim form to the settlement administrator — that route required no identifier and no documentation, which is why this page is marked Proof Required: No.What Happens Next?
The remaining steps were the court's ruling on final approval, resolution of any appeal, and distribution to approved claimants. 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 LC Ticket Fee Settlement.
Important Dates
• Class period: August 29, 2022 through February 21, 2024• Exclusion deadline: April 21, 2025
• Objection deadline: April 21, 2025
• Claim deadline: April 25, 2025
• Final approval hearing: May 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Sources
• Official settlement website: Film LC Ticket Fee Settlement• Settlement FAQ
• Patino v. Film at Lincoln Center, Inc., Index No. 504682/2024, Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings
For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Settlement Fund
$400,000
Case Title
Patino v. Film at Lincoln Center, Inc.
Index Number
504682/2024
Court
Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings
Claim Deadline
April 25, 2025
Final Approval Hearing
May 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
No ruling located as of July 29, 2026.
Status
Claims Closed — Final Approval Not Confirmed
Official Website
Film LC Ticket Fee Settlement
