The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) marks its 25th anniversary with a dynamic yearlong lineup of special events, screenings, and community programs. Honoring the legacy of bringing people together through film, the celebration is anchored by the JBFC’s 25th Anniversary Gala.
The JBFC will host its 25th Anniversary Gala on Friday, June 12, a high-energy celebration bringing together artists, supporters, and community members. JBFC Founder Stephen Apkon will receive the Legacy Award. Director of Development Judy Exton, who is retiring this summer after 25 years of service, will be honored with the David Swope Leadership Award. Additional honorees and special guests will be announced. Proceeds will support the JBFC’s film, education, and artist programs.
“This milestone reflects the extraordinary community that has grown around the JBFC over the past 25 years,” said Mary Jo Ziesel, JBFC Executive Director. “What began as Stephen Apkon’s bold vision has become a cultural home where film exhibition, education, and artist programs come together to inspire curiosity and deepen connection. At the heart of it all is a sense of belonging, something we are proud to have built with our community and excited to carry forward.”
JBFC’s Spring and Summer 2026 season:
Frederick Wiseman’s America (April 8–May 3)
A tribute to one of the greatest documentary filmmakers of all time, this series honors the life and legacy of Frederick Wiseman. Spanning over five decades of work, Wiseman’s films offer an unflinching look at American institutions and everyday life—from small towns to centers of power—capturing the complexity, humanity, and contradictions of the nation.
Founder’s Series Curated by Stephen Apkon (Monthly, April-September)
A cornerstone of the anniversary year, this monthly series showcases selections from JBFC Founder Stephen Apkon, reflecting on 25 years of cinema while looking toward its future. Spring highlights include And Life Goes On (April 29), featuring a conversation with Professor Hamid Dabashi, and Harlan County, USA (May 17), followed by a Q&A with Oscar-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple.
All Ages Programming (Weekly)
Family-friendly screenings at a reduced price of $5 take place every weekend, offering accessible entry points for younger audiences and families. Select screenings feature interactive activities, giveaways, and live character appearances, creating shared experiences for audiences of all generations.
Steven Spielberg’s Sci-Fi (May 9–June 21)
Leading up to the opening of Steven Spielberg’s latest film Disclosure Day on June 13, the JBFC presents a weekend series of the director’s visionary science fiction films, including A.I. Artificial Intelligence (35mm), Minority Report (35mm), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, War of the Worlds (35mm), Ready Player One, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Select screenings include Cinema Studies presentations with leading film scholars in collaboration with NYU Tisch, offering deeper insight into Spielberg’s enduring impact on the genre.
25th Anniversary Series (June)
Revisiting the JBFC’s opening year, this special series features films originally screened when the Theater first opened in 2001, including The Vertical Ray of the Sun, Ghost World, Waking Life, The Devil’s Backbone, and more. In a nod to the past, ticket prices for these films will match those from 2001:
$5 (members), $10 (nonmembers).
The Greatest Showman Family Day (June 28)
A festive sing-along screening of The Greatest Showman invites audiences to enjoy an afternoon of music and movie magic, followed by post-screening celebrations featuring jugglers, face painting, cotton candy balloon twisting, and more.
Out There and Pride Month Celebration (June)
The JBFC’s ongoing Out There series, dedicated to Queer cinema, continues year-round with monthly screenings and post-screening gatherings. As part of Pride Month in June, programming includes a special 25th anniversary screening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the annual Pride Parking Lot Party, celebrating community, visibility, and connection.
Remembering Rob Reiner (July)
A tribute to one of Hollywood’s most versatile storytellers, this July series celebrates Rob Reiner’s beloved body of work, including Stand by Me (July 1), The Princess Bride (July 8), When Harry Met Sally (July 15), A Few Good Men (July 22), and Misery (July 29).
Sounds of Summer (July–August)
The JBFC’s annual music series returns with a lineup that includes opening night with Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (with celebrated local filmmaker Joe Berlinger in person and a rare 35mm print), Bound for Glory (35mm), Flipside, Amazing Grace, Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It, and Inside Llewyn Davis.
Contemporary Arab Cinema (July)
In partnership with BAM, this global film series returns to the JBFC in July, spotlighting contemporary voices and perspectives from across the Arab world.
25th Anniversary Overnight Marathon (August 15)
An all-night cinematic celebration of moviegoing and community, featuring a curated lineup of standout comedies designed to keep audiences laughing until sunrise.
Ron Howard Retrospective
Honoring longtime JBFC Board Member and Academy Award–winning filmmaker Ron Howard, this expansive retrospective traces his remarkable career—from early hits like Splash and Parenthood to acclaimed films including Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind. This series represents the most comprehensive presentation of Howard’s work ever mounted by the JBFC. Dates to be announced.
New Releases
With new films opening every Friday, the JBFC continues to bring a dynamic lineup of first-run releases to our screens. Upcoming titles include the long-awaited sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2 (opens May 1),
D-Day drama Pressure (opens May 29), and Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey (opens July 17 on 35mm).
Ongoing Series & Programs
In addition to these anniversary offerings, the JBFC presents a diverse lineup of recurring programs throughout the year. Monthly series include Immigration Nation (spotlight on immigration narratives in the United States), Docs Without Borders (documentaries with filmmaker Q&As), The New Classics (21st-century masterpieces), and Community Matters (social impact films paired with community discussions). Quarterly programs include Film to Table (screenings paired with post-film receptions), World Stage on Screen (filmed theatre performances), and Beyond the Frame (a spotlight on artists and art films).
Additional programming includes special partnerships, global cinema showcases, and a robust slate of education programs offered year-round, engaging learners from K–12 to adults.
Since opening in 2001, the JBFC has become a cornerstone of cultural life in Westchester and the greater New York region, bringing audiences, students, and filmmakers together through the transformative power of film.
Tickets and details for the 25th Anniversary Gala and full programming lineup are available at burnsfilmcenter.org.
