Miami commissioner Rolando Escalona helped return management of the historic Tower Theater to Miami Dade College.

Miami commissioner Rolando Escalona helped return management of the historic Tower Theater to Miami Dade College.

Miami Dade College

Little Havana’s iconic Tower Theater is back in the hands of Miami Dade College nearly four years after the City of Miami took control of the building.

Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival, which called the city-owned Tower Theater home for decades, announced on Friday that the college will assume responsibility of the building Nov. 1, just in time for the theater’s 100th anniversary in December.

“Over the past several weeks, MDC has been working closely with the City of Miami to ensure a smooth transition and to prepare the Tower Theater to once again provide the high-quality experience our community expects and deserves,” Miami Dade College said in a statement.

The Tower Theater, first opened in 1926 at 1508 SW Eighth St., closed in 1984, but in 2002, the City of Miami authorized MDC to reopen and revitalize the venue. For 20 years, MDC organized film programming and events there, including its prestigious Miami Film Festival. But that came to an abrupt halt in September of 2022, when MDC received a notice from the city’s Department of Real Estate and Asset Management that said the college’s contract to operate the theater would be terminated on Jan. 2, 2023.

At the time, a college spokesperson told the Miami Herald that the college had a five-year lease on the property since 2016 with an option to renew for five more years, but communications between the city and the college fell apart. The spokesperson said MDC would go months without hearing back from the city.

The decision outraged Miami’s arts and filmmaking community. Protesters stood outside the theater, holding up signs that read “COMMISSIONERS – HANDS OFF!!!” The loss of the Tower Theater was a major blow as South Florida’s arthouse cinemas struggled to survive after the pandemic.

Chris Molina, local filmmaker, stands up to speak on a chair outside of the Tower Theater during the Miami Dade College Tower Theater protest on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Little Havana. Chris Molina, local filmmaker, stands up to speak on a chair outside of the Tower Theater during the Miami Dade College Tower Theater protest on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Little Havana. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

At the center of the controversy was embattled City Commissioner Joe Carollo, who was behind a previous effort to kick MDC out of the theater. Carollo wanted to turn the theater into a visitor welcome center and a venue for film and live theater.

“Miami Dade College has done a fine job with what they do, but they’re a college to educate people,” Carollo said at the time. “They’re not a movie theater or arts provider.”

Residents criticized the idea, arguing that the movie theater wasn’t designed for live performances and that the neighborhood already had a visitor center. MDC removed its projectors and sound equipment, WLRN reported.

But clearly the city and college have turned over a new leaf. Carollo’s time in city government ended last year after an unsuccessful mayoral campaign. Newcomer Commissioner Rolando Escalona won the District 3 seat Carollo and his younger brother had occupied since 2009. Once in office, Escalona quickly began to roll back parts of Carollo’s legacy, including transferring the Tower Theater back to MDC.

Rolando Escalona after defeating Frank Carollo during the runoff election for Miami’s District 3 commission seat, to replace Joe Carollo, on Tuesday, December 09, 2025. Rolando Escalona after defeating Frank Carollo during the runoff election for Miami’s District 3 commission seat, to replace Joe Carollo, on Tuesday, December 09, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

“We are grateful to the City of Miami, Mayor Higgins and the City Commission for their trust in Miami Dade College and their commitment to the future of the Tower Theater,” said Miami Film Festival’s statement.

According to the festival’s statement, the college will review the facility and address “needed improvements to the theater experience,” including projection and screening technology, air conditioning and roof conditions. A new Tower Theater website will launch in October.

When the Tower Theater first opened in 1926, it was the “finest state-of-the-art theater in the South.” In the early ‘60s, the Tower Theater’s films entertained Cuban refugees and introduced them to American culture, making the theater a cultural cornerstone for the local Cuban community. The theater began showing English-language films with Spanish subtitles and later included Spanish-language films as well.

On the Miami Film Festival’s Instagram post about the news, residents and film lovers rejoiced.

“Incredible!!! Reminder to never give up hope for progress in Miami,” one person commented.