CFI Membership - Frequently Asked Questions

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How soon is my membership active after joining or renewing?
How can I purchase a gift membership?
What is the tax-deductible portions of my membership gift?
Is there a "refer a friend" to CFI reward program?
What is the value to upgrading my membership and how do I upgrade?
What is a second personalized card?
How do I purchase discounted tickets online?
What if I lose my membership card?
What if I don't have my membership card when I go to the Rafael?
What is the association between CFI and the Rafael Film Center?
How do Member pre-release screenings work?
Why am I not getting the screening invites?

HOW SOON IS MY MEMBERSHIP ACTIVE AFTER JOINING OR RENEWING?

New or renewed membership transactions take approximately 2-5 business days to activate. For online applications we recommend using your email receipt until you receive a membership card by mail.

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HOW CAN I PURCHASE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP?

CFI Memberships make great gifts! Go to this page to review membership benefits. Enter the recipient's information under "Gift Information". An email will be sent to the recipient once processed.

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WHAT IS THE TAX DEDUCTABLE PORTION OF MY MEMBERSHIP GIFT?

Click here to download the Member Benefit grid with tax-deductible portions.

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IS THERE A "REFER A FRIEND" TO CFI REWARD PROGRAM?

Click here to refer a friend.  If they join you’ll get two (2) complimentary passes for the Rafael Film Center!

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WHAT IS THE VALUE TO UPGRADING MY MEMBERSHIP AND HOW DO I UPGRADE?

CFI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Through a membership your donation helps support CFI Education youth programs, the Rafael Film Center and the Mill Valley Film Festival. In addition, a higher-level membership affords you additional benefits and privileges. Gold Star and above are entitled to a second personalized card (see details).

Email membership@cafilm.org your full name, telephone number, and membership level you would to upgrade. A representative will contact you to complete the process and answer questions.

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WHAT IS A SECOND PERSONALIZED CARD?

Gold Star and above membership are afforded a second personalized card (this is not a membership). This cardholder is allowed to purchase discounted tickets to Rafael screenings and events (two ticket limit). To receive a second card, please email the guest's first and last name, and the member name to membership@cafilm.org .

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HOW DO I PURCHASE DISCOUNTED TICKETS ONLINE?

You can purchase discounted tickets for the Rafael (year-round) by clicking here. Present photo ID or your membership card at the box office when picking up your tickets. Note: There is a minimal fee charged by the ticketing company.

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WHAT IF I LOSE MY MEMBERSHIP CARD?

If you lose your membership card and need a replacement, email: membership@cafilm.org . An administrative fee of $5 may apply. Until you receive a new card, you can purchase tickets online or a the Rafael with a photo ID.

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WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE MY MEMBERSHIP CARD AT THE RAFAEL?

Show your photo ID at the box office and the ticket agent will look you up in the database.

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WHAT IS THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CFI AND THE RAFAEL FILM CENTER?

The California Film Institute (CFI) owns and operates the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center. For more information about how you can support CFI, please visit cafilm.org/support.

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HOW DO MEMBER PRE-RELEASE SCREENINGS WORK?

CFI works with film studios to provide free pre-release screenings for our members. The studios determine which films we get. An email "Invite" is sent to active members in advance. We limit the seats for each screening to two total for all membership levels. Screenings may be overbooked to ensure a full house. If you cannot attend an event you have registered for, you must cancel more than 48 hours in advance in order to keep your allotted members-only tickets. Thank you.

Member pre-release screening events are popular and tickets tend to go quickly. If you are not able to get tickets, there will be more and other invites.

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WHY AM I NOT GETTING THE PRE-SCREENING INVITES?

You are most likely not receiving these invites because of one of the following:

• we don’t have your email address
• we don’t have your correct email address
• your membership has expired
• you "opted out" to receive emails through our Constant Contact email newsletter service at some point
• your email provider (e.g, Yahoo, Gmail, etc.) is blocking our emails and/or sending them to your junk/spam folder

To resolve this, please email HYPERLINK "mailto:membership@cafilm.org" membership@cafilm.org and include your full name and phone number. Also, add our email to your address book so that future invites do not end up in your junk/spam folder.

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