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Cinema Paradiso Rental Information
A Brief History of Cinema Paradiso
Located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Cinema Paradiso is housed in a renovated church building. Dating back to the 1920’s, the building was constructed as the First Methodist Church of Fort Lauderdale. Once the church moved to a bigger location, the building went under the charge of the County, where it functions reportedly ranged from a family-counseling center to narcotics storage for the courthouse. In the mid 80s the building was retrofitted as a stage theater for use by the actress, director, and playwright Vinnette Carroll, the first African-American woman to direct a Broadway show, and became the Vinnette Carroll Theater.
In the late 90s, after Ms. Carroll fell ill and activity in the theater declined, the County handed management of the building over to the Broward County Film Society. A second renovation commenced, this time to fit the existing theater with film projection equipment. Around 2000, the movie theater opened as the Festival Arts Cinema, primarily used for the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Eventually renamed Cinema Paradiso, in homage to the Oscar-winning film that featured a church turned movie house, the theater opened as a year-round art house cinema. A few years later the theater went through its third renovation, this time updating the projection and sound equipment, redoing the seating platform (eliminating the theater-in-the-round feature that wasn't conductive to movie watching), installing plush velvet seats and cosmetically updating the theater and lobby.
Today the theater is still operated by the Broward County Film Society, functioning as its headquarters, and is featured predominantly during the annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. The theater specializes in foreign, American independent and retrospective films, but also periodically holds live theater performances. It has even gone far back enough to its roots where it has hosted wedding and weekly church services.
Renting the Cinema Paradiso theater
Base Rental Fees* (0-3 hour blocks)
Mondays – Wednesdays ($400 - $750)
Thursdays & Sundays ($500 - $850)
Fridays & Saturdays ($750 - $1500)
*Range depends on the complexity of the Event.
For information on press screenings and local filmmaker screenings, contact Hal Axler at 954-760-9898 x101
Cinema Paradiso Seating Chart
Base Rent Includes:
• Theater, lobby, and dressing room access
• Two Hours Tech Support and consultation
• One House Manager and House Staff
• Auditorium lights, heat, cleaning, open and close of theater
• Use of upright piano (tuning/ moving not included), folding 6ft work tables (5) and box office
• Use of projection equipment (as outlined in Renters Agreement)
• Use of lighting system (as outlined in Renters Agreement)
• Use of sound system (as outlined in Renters Agreement)
Additional Charges Include:
• Overtime hours for building - $100 per hour
• Custodian cost beyond 2 hours cleaning time - $12 per hour per person
• Additional sound or lighting equipment – see renter agreements application
Rental Policy:
• Date holds are taken on a first-come basis. A 50% deposit is needed at time of making the reservation to hold the date.
• Balance of rental fee due one week prior to rental date.
• No return of deposit after 30 days prior to the event date.
• $50 - $300 cleaning and/or security deposit due at time of making the reservation. Deposit refunded on credit card or check issued the next weekday following the rental date.
Cancellation Policy:
To receive a full refund of deposit, notice of cancellation must be received by the Special Events Office in writing 45 days prior to the date scheduled and reserved. Cancellation notice received 45 days prior to the event will receive refund of deposit less 25% retained by Cinema Paradiso for handling. A cancellation made less than 30 days prior to event shall forfeit deposit amount in total.
Insurance:
Renter must provide a Certificate of Insurance with current Comprehensive General Liability Coverage in the amount of $1 million. The Broward County Film Society shall be named as additional insured for the date of the event. Certificate must be filed with the Cinema Paradiso Office at least 14 days prior to the event.
The Renter will be held liable for all damages incurred due to neglect or improper implementation of these guidelines. All repairs, cleaning and related expenses, performed by staff or outside contractors, will be billed to the Renter on a time and material basis.
For a rental application click here
Or contact Hal Axler at (954) 760-9898 ext. 101, or e-mail at rental@fliff.com for more information or to reserve the Theater. | | |
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