On a nondescript street in Fort Lauderdale, a few blocks from Las Olas Boulevard, is an interesting landmark—the Savor Cinema—which has been through quite a lot in its storied history. Dating back to the 1940s, it was originally constructed as the First Methodist Church of Fort Lauderdale. From outside, it still looks like a renovated church.
Broward County eventually took over the building and converted its use; it served such county functions as a family counseling center, a depot for courthouse records, and a narcotics storage location. In the mid-1980s, the building was retrofitted as a stage theater for use by actress, director, and playwright Vinnette Justine Carroll, the first African-American woman to direct a Broadway show, and it became the Vinnette Carroll Theater.
In the late 1990s, activity in the theater declined, and the county handed management of the building to the Broward County Film Society. A second renovation began, and the theater was fitted with film projection equipment. Around 2000, the movie theater opened as the Festival Arts Cinema, used mainly for the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF). It was later renamed Cinema Paradiso, in homage to the Oscar-winning film, and the theater opened as a year-round art-house cinema.
A few years later, the theater went through a third renovation—this time updating the projection and sound equipment, redoing the seating setup, which used to be a theater-in-the-round, installing plush seats, and updating the lobby. It was renamed Savor Cinema in 2016.
Today, the Broward County Film Society still updates the theater, functioning as its headquarters, and it is a predominant feature during the annual FLIFF. The theater specializes in foreign, American independent, and retrospective films; I recently saw a good South American film there. They also hold live theater performances, along with “Candlelight Concerts,” and the facility can be rented for private events.
Savor Cinema is home to two annual film festivals, with the shorter one coming up next month: FLIFF Shorts will be held Nov. 6–9. Officially the Savoir-faire Shorts Film Festival, it’s a companion event to the larger festival. FLIFF Shorts is a four-day film fest dedicated to showcasing short films and featuring innovative shorts from various countries. It provides a platform for local and international filmmakers to share their work in an event celebrating cinematic creativity. It hosts awards in categories like Best of Show, Best of Broward, and more.
Coming up in 2026 is the 40th Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. FLIFF 40 will be held Feb. 20–28 and will screen more than 60 films at the Savor and throughout Broward County. FLIFF presents American indies and studio films, international films, and student films. It also features special tributes and seminars and introduces filmmakers to South Florida audiences. “Considered one of the most important regional film festivals in the U.S., the festival’s commitment to first-time filmmakers and innovative programming make it one of the most exciting film events in Florida,” according to FLIFF.
When I was at Savor Cinema for a regular Thursday night showing with my daughter, we saw people enjoying the canopied garden courtyard outside the building. There is a large assortment of tables, chairs, and couches—a nice place to sit with a drink before a movie or to gather during the private events there. The space features terra-cotta pavers with the names of donors, celebrities, and filmmakers who’ve attended the annual film festival or Savor Cinema.
Inside, it elicits an old-fashioned movie lobby. The walls are covered in movie posters and Hollywood-type photographs. There is a small concession stand that sells the standard theater snacks as well as a selection of drinks and cocktails. Heading through the double doors into the single theater, we saw that it wasn’t crowded, it was easy to snag a close-up seat. Patrons walk in on the ground level, and then the seats are in a steep incline all the way up to the back. There was some audiovisual and musical equipment jutting up on the low stage in front of the screen, which unfortunately was a little distracting from the first row.
The theater has a musty smell and definitely feels and looks its age. But the ambiance is a quaint tribute to its long and fascinating history! Whether you come during one of the film fests held at this location, or you’re just getting out for a typical night at the movies—experiencing this simple, charming theater is like a trip back in time.
For more information, go to https://fliff.com.