HISTORY

Surrounded by weeping oaks, a bubbling fountain, and a beautiful courtyard, Enzian Theater is a unique movie-going experience. As Central Florida's only full-time, non-for-profit alternative cinema, Enzian exists to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through film. For 23 years Enzian has championed the belief that "Film Is Art." Along with first-run independent features, Enzian offers a variety of special events, such the nationally-recognized Florida Film Festival.

Founded by Tina Tiedtke and the Tiedtke family in 1985, Enzian began as a repertory house offering six to 12 classic films each week as well as the occasional live show (musician Philip Glass was one of the most notable bookings on Enzian's stage). By 1989 had Enzian refocused and moved into the then-risky field of showing first-run independent features. Enzian was alone in the community in booking such films, but this bold transformation was a success. With strong support from regional film-lovers, Enzian now often reports the highest grosses in Florida for many art house releases. Adventurous programming, and a willingness to book self-distributed films, has garnered Enzian a national reputation as a trendsetting venue. Time and time again, Enzian has proven that even in a community as mainstream as Orlando, there is an audience hungry for new voices in independent film.