Savor Cinema Fort Lauderdale

Ariel W.

I have wanted to visit this historic movie theater for the longest time and the opportunity finally presented itself with a showing of the 80's black comedy Heather's during their ladies frights event presented by Popcorn Frights. Popcorn Frights was founded in 2015 by Miami locals Igor Shteyrenberg and Marc Ferman.to host horror movie screenings and film festivals at locations around south Florida including the historic Savor Cinema. Popcorn Frights are known for making their events immersive. During the Heather's showing the food truck served Veronica's pasta, spaghetti with extra oregano and the lobby concession stand served a blue drink in homage to the liquid drain cleaner that killed Heather in the beginning of the movie. You can check out all of their future events on the their website as well as win tickets for movie screenings. Savor Cinema is located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. The Governmental Center Parking Garage located next door to the theater but I also found plenty of metered street parking. There is so much history in this theater. The building was originally built as a Methodist Church in the 1940's after the first building was destroyed by the hurricane of 1926. The church eventually moved to a bigger building and Broward county used it as a family-counseling center and narcotics storage for the courthouse. In the mid 1980's the building was refurbished into the Vinette Carroll Theatre, a stage theater for use by the actress, director, and playwright Vinnette Carroll, the first African-American woman to direct a Broadway show. In the late 90's the theatre declined and management was given to the Broward County Film Society who renovated the theater with film projection equipment. In 2000, the movie theater reopened as the Festival Arts Cinema for use by the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. At this time it was renamed Cinema Paradiso, a reference to the 1988 Oscar winning film that has a movie house in a church, A third renovation of the building updated the projection, sound equipment, and lobby and installed 220 plush velvet seats in stadium seating. Today the theater is still operated by the Broward County Film Society who uses it as their headquarters. The theatre is used to show films during the annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival as well as foreign, American independent and retrospective films. There are even live theater performances and it can be rented for weddings and private parties. The lobby has a full bar and concession stand and you can dine outside in the John Mager Courtyard. The theatre was renamed Savor Cinema in 2016. I loved everything about the event. Popcorn Frights did an excellent job hosting and even did a little trivia and handed out free shirts before the show. The movie was a trip down memory lane and was so fun to watch with audience participation of the most iconic lines, Best of all was the amazing Savor Cinema. I love a building with history and you can smell it in a good way when you walk through the door. You can still see the churches stained glass in various places in the building. This is a one of a kind venue. I am so glad I finally got to visit.

Solus Dextor

I've only been to this independent cinema once before, but it continues to present a charmingly vintage aesthetic, and the staff are friendly and provide great service.

Raymond Grant

Attended the premiere of the movie, Second Chance, which features, Spragga Benz and Merlisa Determined. The seating is very spacious and comfortable. The acoustics make for great sound effects. Take along your date.

xevious12202

Went to see arather unique film called #Titane from the director of the horror film RAW....still trying to wrap my head around what I saw. Movie starts a certain way and just goes a whole different direction. Now this was my first visit to this theater. It's an old church that has been remodeled into a movie theater. Great ambiance and when you walk up to the door you just feel like you are being transported into another world. Really enjoyed it.