Photo courtesy of tropiccinema.com

If you prefer an alternative cinema experience, then you want to head to the Tropic Cinema in the heart of Old Town Key West.

Here's info from their website:

For years, the lament in Key West over the slim pickings of films offered by the local multiplex was like talking about the weather. Everyone deplored it, but no one did much of anything about it. It was against that backdrop that a small group of film buffs put out a call in 1998, seeking volunteers interested in rejuvenating the local cinema scene, while another group was trying to figure out where and how it could be done. They joined forces and tapped into a well-spring of community interest. Volunteers crowded meetings, offer ideas, suggestions and help for a project to bring alternative film to town. Working committees were formed to search out venues, track down film sources, and round up projection equipment.

The talk quickly moved from planning for "next year" to doing something right away, and it happened. From the gala opening fund raiser, the Key West premiere of Roberto Begnini's Life is Beautiful, to the first Key West International Festival of New Cinema, the Conch Republic has begun to see the best of independent, foreign and alternative movies.

What a Lineup!

In its truncated first season, from April to July of 1999, and two full seasons in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, the KWFS brought an immensely varied fare of more than 150 films to Key West. Most had never before been shown on a public screen in the Keys. Highlights have included Cuban musical legend Buena Vista Social Club, Pedro Almadovar's Academy-Award-winning All About My Mother, Boys Don't Cry, Topsy Turvy, Being John Malkovich, Billy Elliot and Mulholland Dr. For the lover of the avant-garde, we have presented offerings like The Celebration, a leading exemplar of the new Dogma style of filmmaking – no lighting, no music, shot on video – the ultimate in cinema verite. The lover of classics has been equally well-served, with presentations of the Director's Cut of Orson Well's Touch of Evil, the newly remastered and restored Fellini masterpiece Nights of Cabiria, and the reedited and rereleased Apocalypse Now Redux. And, not overlooking laughs, we've had comedies such as the Stanley Tucci farce The Imposters, and the French gay-mixup delight The Closet.

Take a minute to learn more at http://tropiccinema.com/main.html then head for the movies!