The Sons and Daughters of Italy Key West Lodge #2436 has partnered with the Tropic Cinema to present “Italian Night at the Movies,” a monthly film series to raise funds for the organization’s 2026 scholarship fund benefiting area High School seniors of Italian descent. Screenings take place the first Wednesday of each month through May 2026.

The next installment takes place Wednesday, Jan. 7 with the 1968 romantic comedy “Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell,” directed by Melvin Frank and starring Gina Lollobridida.  

Lollobrigida plays Carla Campbell, a once-frightened girl who has reinvented herself as one of San Forino, Italy's leading citizens. For years she has received support checks from three American GIs she met during WWII—each of whom believe he's the father of her daughter Gia (Janet Margolin). Trouble brews when the 23rd Regiment schedules a 20-year reunion in San Forino and all three “fathers” are on their way to town, eager to meet their daughter—to Mrs. Campbell’s mounting panic and Gia’s eager anticipation.

With its excellent cast that includes Telly Savalas, Phil Silvers, Peter Lawford, Shelley Winters and Lee Grant, “Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell” is a fun, friendly and very entertaining comedy widely credited as an inspiration for the hit musical, “Mama Mia!”

Sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the evening includes a “taste of Italy” in the form of complimentary Duetto’s Pizza served before the film. Doors open at 5:30 pm; the film begins at 6:15. Guests can also participate in a 50/50 chance drawing and a raffle for a set of 4 Italian plates and bowls. Italian wines will be available for purchase at the Tropic Cinema concession. 
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Tickets are $20 per person and are available online at TropicCinema.com or day of at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St., Key West. Series tickets are also available: purchase 4 films and receive the fifth at half price, for a total $90.

“Mid-August Lunch” (“Pranzo di Ferragosto”), scheduled to screen at 6:15pm on Wed. June 4 at the Tropic Cinema, is the final film presentation in the 2025 “Italian Night at the Movies” series, presented by The Sons and Daughters of Italy Key West Lodge #2436 and the Tropic Cinema and benefiting the Lodge’s scholarship fund for area high school seniors of Italian descent.
 
Described by “Time Out New York” as a “mouthwatering cinematic feast,” the award-winning “Mid- August Lunch” is a 2008 Italian language comedy by director, actor and screenwriter Gianni De Gregorio, accompanied by English subtitles. Broke and armed with only a wry sense of humor, middle-aged Gianni lives with his 90 year-old mother in their old apartment. The tenant debts are mounting, but financial relief is proffered to Gianni by Alfredo, the building manager, providing Gianni will take in Alfredo’s mother during the Ferragosto holiday.
 
Doors open at 5:30; movie starts at 6:15 pm and the evening includes a complimentary taste of Duetto’s Gelato and mini Italian panini—The Medici, The Vesuvius, and The Verdi. The evening will also include a 50/50 drawing.
 
Tickets are $20 per person and are available online at TropicCinema.com or day of at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St.  

Tropic Cinema celebrates Monroe County Teachers on May 3rd by offering free admission to all its screenings for the day. Monroe County Teachers are a vital part of the Keys Community and Tropic would like to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Teachers are invited to view a film of their choice on May 3rd with a valid Monroe County I.D.  For movies and showtimes visit Tropiccinema.com.
 
Tropic offers annual memberships that provide discounted or free admission to patrons year-round starting as low as $50 a year. For more information come to the Tropic Cinema box office or purchase a membership online at Tropiccinema.com/membership. Tropic also offers sponsorship opportunities if you own a business and would like to support the Tropic’s mission. Sponsorships are also available online at Tropiccinema.com under support us/sponsorships.

The Sons and Daughters of Italy Key West Lodge #2436 has teamed up with the Tropic Cinema to present, “Italian Night at the Movies” to support their 2025 scholarship fund for area High School seniors of Italian descent. Occurring once a month through June, next up in the series is “Il Piccolo Diavolo,” (The Little Devil) on Wednesday, April 16. 
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Released in 1988 and starring Walter Matthau and Roberto Benigni, the comedy romance is in Italian with English subtitles, and takes place in Rome, Italy. Father Maurice, played by Matthau, is an American priest living in a college community in Roma. When a local woman becomes possessed by the devil, Maurice is asked to perform an exorcism. The demon is exorcised successfully, but turns out to be a scrawny, arrogant, wisecracking man named Giuditta, played by Benigni, who chooses to stay with Maurice instead of returning to Hell. This movie is in Italian with English subtitles.

Doors open at 5:30; movie starts at 6:15 pm and the evening includes a complimentary taste of tortellini, sausage and peppers. The evening will also include a chance drawing for a set of Italian dishes, a Sons and Daughters of Italy Cookbook and two tickets for admission to another Italian movie in the series.

Tickets are $20 per person and are available online at TropicCinema.com or day of at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St.  

​In recognition of the 5th anniversary of the Keys COVID-19 lockdown, on Thursday, March 27 at 6:00pm at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St., a group of photographers, journalists and filmmakers will form a panel to discuss and reflect on the COVID-19 Spring of 2020, defined as running from March 1, when Florida’s first COVID-19 cases were announced, to June 1, the day after the upper Keys quarantine checkpoint was dismantled. Sponsored by the Monroe County Library, and titled “Five Years Later: Looking Back at Key West’s Covid Lockdown,” scheduled panelists are Chris Sloan, producer of the short-film documentary, “Key West: 66 Days of Paradise Interrupted,” and “Isolated Island – The Key West COVID-19 Spring of 2020” book creators and contributors Roberta DePiero, Corey Malcom, Rob O’Neal, Andy Newman, and Carol Tedesco. Keys Weekly editor Mandy Miles will moderate. Admission is free; seating is limited and on a first come, first served basis. For more information contact Michael Nelson, Monroe County Assistant Director of Libraries at [email protected]. 

The Sons and Daughters of Italy Key West Lodge #2436 has teamed up with the Tropic Cinema to present, “Italian Night at the Movies” to support their 2025 scholarship fund for area High School seniors of Italian descent. Occurring once a month through June, next up in the series is “Cabrini,” which will be screened on International Women’s Day, Saturday, March 8 at 6:15pm. The first 40 women to check in for the film will receive a yellow mum donated by Love in Bloom Florist.

Directed by Alejandro Monteverde,  with Cristiana Dell’Anna in the title role, “Cabrini” was released in 2024 by Angel Studios and is in English with some Italian. Arriving in New York City in 1889, Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini is greeted by disease, crime and impoverished children. She soon sets off on a daring mission to convince the mayor to secure housing and health care for society’s most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini uses her entrepreneurial mind to build an empire of hope unlike anything the world has ever seen.

Doors open at 5:30pm; film starts at 6:15pm and the evening includes complimentary limoncello and biscotti for ticket holders along with a chance drawing for an Aqua D’Keys travel tote filled with Aqua D’Keys body lotion, body wash, Eau du Parfum and a candle, a set of Ralph DePalma “Soul of Key West” books, or two tickets for admission to another Italian movie in the series.
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Tickets are $20 per person and are available online at TropicCinema.com or day-of at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. 

This February, Tropic Cinema is proud to partner with four Black-operated nonprofit organizations in Key West for a special Black History Month Film Series. More than just movie screenings, these events will honor Black history, highlight the missions of these vital community organizations, and support their ongoing efforts through fundraising and awareness.

Each organization has selected a film that resonates with their values and history. Local leaders will introduce the films, providing unique insight and discussion on their themes. Tropic Cinema will donate ticket sale profits to each organization, directly benefiting their important work in the community. Each event will be on Sunday afternoon at 2 PM.  After the Sunday event, there will be additional screenings of the films throughout the following week. 

Sunday, February 2 – The Six Triple Eight (2024), Hosted by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration and Scholarship Committee Tyresa Butler presenting.

Sunday, February 9 – Imitation of Life (1934), Hosted by American Legion Auxiliary Unit #168 with Shirley Knowles Brown presenting.

Sunday, February 16 – Luther: Never Too Much (2024), Hosted by Eastern Star (Myrna E. Sawyer Key of the Gulf #5) with Ursula Dunn presenting.

Sunday, February 23 – Passing (2021), Hosted by Coral City Elks Temple #400 with Alana Thursta presenting.

For more information about this and other events at the Tropic Cinema, please check the website at www.tropicicinema.com

Celebrated singer-songwriter and master storyteller Freedy Johnston will make his first ever Key West appearance in the intimate Carper Theater at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton Street, Key West, on Saturday Feb. 15 at 7:30pm. 

Named Rolling Stone’s 1994 Songwriter of the Year for his album “This Perfect World,” and recognized for hits like "Bad Reputation," "This Perfect World," "The Lucky One," and "Evie's Tears," Johnston's evocative voice and timeless songs have earned him a loyal following across three decades.
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Johnston is currently touring in support of his ninth studio album, "Back on the Road To You,” which has been described as “a record steeped in wit, humor, pathos, love and friendship drenched with memorable, infectious melodies.” Featuring collaborations with talents such as Grammy winner Aimee Mann (of Til Tuesday fame), and Susannah Hoffs (the Bangles), "Back on the Road To You,” has been garnering rave reviews since its release. Sponsored by the Tropic Cinema, Michael Blades Photography and Ben Pegg Sound, tickets are $25.00 and benefit the Tropic Cinema. For tickets and information visit www.tropiccinema.com, or purchase in advance on-site.

The Sons and Daughters of Italy Key West Lodge #2436 has teamed up with the Tropic Cinema to present a series of “Italian Night at the Movies” events to support their 2025 scholarship fund for area High School seniors of Italian descent. Occurring once a month through June, next up in the series is “Roman Holiday,” on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

“Roman Holiday” was first released in 1953 and stars screen legends Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) takes off for a night in Rome. When a sedative from her doctor kicks in, however, she falls asleep on a park bench and is discovered by an American reporter, Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), who takes her back to his apartment for safety. At work the next morning, Joe finds out Ann's regal identity and bets his editor he can get an exclusive interview with her, but romance soon gets in the way.

Doors open at 5:30, movie starts at 6:15 pm, and the evening includes taste of homemade Tiramisu for ticket holders. The evening will also include a chance drawing for Italian Murano glass pieces and two admission tickets for admission an upcoming Italian film in the series.
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Sponsored by Key West Vespa and Keys Auto Center, tickets to the English language film are $20 per person and are available online at TropicCinema.com or day-of at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St.