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UPCOMING EVENTS
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March 11, 2010
The Opera Goes to the Movies at Cinema Paradiso
Up Next:
A Special Encore Presentation of Carmen
Performed live at La Scala
» read more
March 12, 2010
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Monthly at Cinema Paradiso
» read more
March 17, 2010
Senses of Cinema
Monthly reception, film and discussion hosted by Shelly Isaacs
Next
» read more
April 3, 2010
FLIFF's Annual Eggtacular
FREE
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April 4, 2010
Cafe Cinematheque International
This month Golden Globe Winner "White Ribbon"
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April 7, 2010
Cinema A La Mode
Cooking class and a movie!
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April 9, 2010
The Auteur Explosion
A night of local film, art and music
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April 10, 2010
Repo! The Genetic Opera
Now monthy at CInema Paradiso
» read more
May 16, 2010
Diving into Spring
A fundraiser for FLIFF, presented by Entre Nous
POSTPONED to new date.
» read more
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Fort Lauderdale's Arthouse Movie Theater......and more!
Cinema Paradiso is South Florida's most unique theater. Operated by the Broward County Film Society and home of the annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, the theater offers something for everyone.
The heart and soul of Cinema Paradiso is its role as Broward County's only full time Art House theater, showcasing the finest in Independent and Foreign films, along with Documentaries and classic films not shown anywhere else on the big screen. But, this programming only touches the surface of what the theater provides to the community.
Because of its diversity, Cinema Paradiso has programs assessable to everyone in our community. FREE children’s films and Senior Matinees are scheduled monthly or by request. Students and young adults are introduced to the theater through Anime, Xtreme Sports, Surfing, and specialty late night programming. In turn, they get exposed to the art of film, and the culture provided by the Broward County Film Society.
   
Cinema Paradiso is the hub of the local film community. Here local filmmakers have a venue to showcase their films to the community or in private to investors. Monthly gatherings bring members of the film industry together to network.
During the annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, filmmakers, press, investors, celebrities, and movie fans from around the world gather. Many will spend the bulk of there time in Fort Lauderdale at Cinema Paradiso!
Cinema Paradiso is also an important venue from 100's of charities, cultural organizations and schools to host fundraisers and events. The building is often donated or offered at a reduced usage fee to assist the non-profit community in raising the valuable revenue needed for them to continue the service they provide the community.
 
Monthly craft shows and flea markets at Cinema Paradiso!
Cinema Paradiso lobby today (below) and Cinema Paradiso lobby circa 2003 (top)
Concession and Bar
Along with the movies, Cinema Paradiso is also a great place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine, beer or cup of coffee. The "Reel Cafe" features a Full Bar, Beers from around the world, over 30 wine selections, Coffee and Teas and of course "regular" movie concessions.
Courtyard Cinema
Enjoy the best of South Florida and the best in film, sports, and special events in our Courtyard Cinema. Located in the Paradiso Patio Courtyard, the cinema features a 15 foot screen and digital projection.
 
Added in 2007, the "Paradiso Patio" courtyard adds to the unique Cinema Paradiso experience and is a great place to host a wide range of functions.
Cinema Location
503 SE 6 Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, one block east of Broward County Courthouse on south bank of New River.
Call
954-525-FILM (3456)
Tickets
Cinema Paradiso Ticket Prices
FLIFF members $5, Seniors and Students (under 25 w/ ID) $7, General Admission $9
Plastic
Visa, Amex, MC, Discover
Parking
Parking is free at street meters after 6pm nightly and all day on Sundays.
You can also park for free at the County Courthouse Parking Garage Monday - Friday from 5pm and all day and night on Weekends. To access the garage, enter the Employee Parking Entrance on the East side of the Courthouse Parking garage via S.E. 5th Avenue; just follow the Cinema Paradiso / Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival parking signs! Call for updates.
For Directions click here
Located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Cinema Paradiso is the perfect venue for a wide range of events. For rental information click here
For the current schedule, click here
Cinema Paradiso History
In 1997 the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival moved it's offices and began showing movie at the inspiring Vinnette Carroll Theater, the original home of the First Methodist Church of Fort Lauderdale, and Cinema Paradiso was borned! Established in 1905, this church boasts over 100 years of Fort Lauderdale history!
In 1905 a lot was purchased from the Florida East Coast Railroad for $35 and the First Methodist Church was erected on S.W. 6th Street and Andrews Avenue.
On September 18, 1926, the building was completely destroyed by a Hurricane.
A structure was completed the following year on the original site to serve the growing congregation.
Having the foresight that the city was rapidly expanding, church leaders purchased four lots on S.E. 6th Street in the early 1940’s. By 1947 the new church was completed, called “The New First Methodist Church”, the current home of Cinema Paradiso.
By the 1960’s the congregation outgrew the Church and the building went under the charge of the County where its functions reportedly ranged from a family counseling center to narcotic storage for the courthouse!
 In 1986 the building was retrofitted as a stage theater for use by the actress, director, and playwrite Vinnette Carroll, the first African-American Woman to direct a Broadway Show. From 1986 to 1997 the Vinnette Carroll Repertory Theater presented live performances.
In the 1990’s Ms. Carroll fell ill and activity in the theater declined. FLIFF moved in the winter of 1997 and the two groups were to jointly use the building. However, Ms. Carroll’s health never allowed her to produce more then two performances a year. (Additional information on Ms. Carroll can be found at the bottom of this page).
 With the theater getting little use, FLIFF began presenting a full time movie schedule. In 1998, with Grants, along with corperate and private donations and services, the Cinema Paradiso of today was born!
In 2007, the “Millennium Club” was created, which through mainly private donations added the current marquee, lighted sign,, bathroom renovations, creation of the “Comerica Corner” lounge area, new screen and sound improvements, and other interior renovations. Through Millennium Club donations and the purchased of signature bricks, the fully covered “Paradiso Patio” Courtyard was constructed.
 
Cinema Paradiso following Hurricane Wilma in 2005 & after Millennium Club renovations in 2008
Still lots of work to be done and we are always looking to the community for their support!!!
There are many ways you can get involved and become a part of the legacy, for more information, contact Gregory Von Hausch via email at greg@fliff.com
About Vinette Carroll
Vinette Carroll became the first African American woman to direct a play on Broadway, when DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE opened on Broadway in 1973. Her success was repeated in 1976, with collaborator Micki Grant and Alex Bradford, with YOUR ARMS TOO SHORT TO BOX WITH GOD, which garnered three Tony nominations. Carroll remains the only African-American woman to receive a Tony nomination for Direction.
In 1967, Carroll founded the Urban Arts Corps, which trained minority performers in all theatrical disciplines and specialized in works by African-American writers and composers.
In 1986, Ms Carroll with tremendous community and governmental support, transformed The former First Methodist Church into the Vinnette Carroll Theatre. Ms. Carroll, a lover of the process, wrote, directed and nurtured many works at the theatre.
Her work touched and inspired hundreds, if not thousands of young artists. Ms. Carroll died in 2002.
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ATTENTION FILMMAKERS
Call for Entry is now open for the FLIFF2010
For more information or to download a submission formCLICK HERE
We have to let our elected officials know that they need to "Hold the Line"and not make any more cuts to the arts.
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