O Cinema hosting annual ‘Rocky Horror’ event at Miami Beach Bandshell
Film fans can enjoy one of O Cinema’s most popular annual traditions.
For the past 14 years, O Cinema has hosted its annual Halloween screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” On Sunday, Oct. 26, in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary, the arthouse cinema is marking the occasion with a fully immersive and interactive experience at the Miami Beach Bandshell.
The show will feature drag queen TP Lords and The Faithful Handymen, an 11-person shadow cast, acting out the movie while it’s playing.
“Everybody [in the audience] gets a prop bag where inside there’s instructions of when to use it and how,” said Vivian Marthell, co-founder, CEO and CCO of O Cinema.
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The event comes at an exciting time for O Cinema.
The Miami Beach theater, known for its highly curated film selection, is expanding to the mainland, but not to worry if you live on South Beach. That location isn’t going anywhere.
Their new location, set to open in early 2026, will be in Little River near the pizza restaurant La Natural.
The expansion is no small endeavor for the non-profit arthouse cinema that is currently fundraising for the project. Their goal is to raise $2.75 million. The got a head start with a $750,000 grant given to them by the Knight Foundation.
“We’ve always thought of expanding,” said Marthell. “We want to leave a legacy to our community that won’t be undermined by the powers that be or the political climate”.
O Cinema’s funding relies heavily on ticket sales and grants from foundations and local governments including the city of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County.
But those funds are not always guaranteed.
Miami Beach mayor, Steven Meiner, threatened to cut their funding and lease after a screening of the documentary “No Other Land” which portrays the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank.
The situation sparked outrage in Miami and nationwide, citing it as an example of a violation of freedom of speech.
According to Marthell, the new move to Little River will grant the organization “a certain amount of autonomy” in terms of programming, but it won’t sever ties with local governments since their funding plays a key role in the investment of arts and culture for the community.
“In order to serve the whole community, it’s really important for the government to help us,” Marthell said.
The new Little River location will include three screening rooms, two flexible exhibition rooms, an art gallery, a lounge and a café. The renovations will be done in phases. Phase one, which is what will be available to the public in early 2026, will include one screening room, the concession stand with wine and beer and the art gallery.
The end goal for the new location is for it to eventually become an arts and culture hub for local talent and organizations.
“Our mission is to support and nurture the development of new work. Whether that’s an individual artist or a small to mid-size arts organization,” said Marthell. “If we can work together and share resources in order to make work in this community, then that’s what I want to do.”
If you go:
What: The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary screening
When: Sunday, Oct. 26
Where: Miami Beach Bandshell
Cost: General admission $37.08; Club Level (including up to 6 tickets) $294.58
Info: Purchase tickets at dice.fm
