Film at Lincoln Center
Three Lincoln Center executives gathered in 1969 to create a new organization. William F. May, Martin E. Segal and Schuyler G. Chapin established the Film Society of Lincoln Center that year. They intended to bring world cinema to American audiences through festivals and retrospectives. This nonprofit entity became one of eleven resident organizations at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. For fifty years the group operated under its original name before changing it in 2019.
Alice Tully Hall hosted the annual Chaplin Award Gala Tribute starting in 1972. Charlie Chaplin received the first award as both filmmaker and comedian. Fred Astaire followed in 1973 as an actor and dancer. Alfred Hitchcock won in 1974 while Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman shared honors in 1975. George Cukor accepted the award in 1978 and Bob Hope took it in 1979. Barbara Stanwyck was honored in 1981 and Billy Wilder in 1982. Laurence Olivier received his award in 1983 and Claudette Colbert in 1984. Federico Fellini won in 1985 and Elizabeth Taylor in 1986. Alec Guinness was recognized in 1987 and Yves Montand in 1988. Bette Davis received the honor in 1989. James Stewart won in 1990 and Audrey Hepburn in 1991. Gregory Peck was honored in 1992 and Jack Lemmon in 1993. Robert Altman received the award in 1994 and Shirley MacLaine in 1995. Clint Eastwood won in 1996 and Sean Connery in 1997. Martin Scorsese was honored in 1998 and Mike Nichols in 1999. Al Pacino received the award in 2000 and Jane Fonda in 2001. Francis Ford Coppola won in 2002 and Susan Sarandon in 2003. Michael Caine was honored in 2004 and Dustin Hoffman in 2005. Jessica Lange won in 2006 and Diane Keaton in 2007. Meryl Streep received the award in 2008 and Tom Hanks in 2009. Michael Douglas won in 2010 and Sidney Poitier in 2011. Catherine Deneuve was honored in 2012 and Barbra Streisand in 2013. Rob Reiner received the award in 2014 and Robert Redford in 2015. Morgan Freeman won in 2016 and Robert De Niro in 2017. Helen Mirren was honored in 2018 and Spike Lee in 2021. Cate Blanchett won in 2022 and Viola Davis in 2023. Jeff Bridges received the award in 2024 and Pedro Almodóvar is scheduled for 2025.
The organization hosts the annual New York Film Festival each year. Dennis Lim serves as the artistic director of this festival. The group also co-presents the New Directors/New Films Festival with the Museum of Modern Art. This partnership brings new voices to the Lincoln Center stage alongside established works. François Truffaut, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Jean-Luc Godard, Pedro Almodóvar and Martin Scorsese were among the acclaimed filmmakers introduced to American audiences over four decades.
The organization publishes the film journal Film Comment. This publication serves as an official voice for the nonprofit entity. It covers retrospectives, new releases and industry talks. The journal reflects the broader mission of introducing world cinema to local viewers.
Lesli Klainberg currently holds the position of president at Film at Lincoln Center. Rose Kuo served as a past executive leader within the organization. Mara Manus held an executive role before her departure from the group. Claudia Bonn worked as an executive director prior to Joanne Koch. Joanne Koch served as executive director from 1971 until 2003. These leaders guided the organization through its first fifty years of operation.
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Common questions
Who founded Film at Lincoln Center in 1969?
William F. May, Martin E. Segal and Schuyler G. Chapin established the organization that year.
When did Film at Lincoln Center change its name from Film Society of Lincoln Center?
The group operated under its original name for fifty years before changing it in 2019.
Which hall hosts the annual Chaplin Award Gala Tribute for Film at Lincoln Center?
Alice Tully Hall hosted the annual Chaplin Award Gala Tribute starting in 1972.
What is the current president of Film at Lincoln Center as of 2025?
Lesli Klainberg currently holds the position of president at Film at Lincoln Center.
How long did Joanne Koch serve as executive director of Film at Lincoln Center?
Joanne Koch served as executive director from 1971 until 2003.