What began as one man’s tribute to his late father became a cultural force that reshaped South Florida’s cigar scene. EMPIRE follows the journey of a modest lounge as it transforms into a hidden world of sophistication, ritual, and belonging — a place where people from every walk of life come together to find community and connection, all forged through the leaf. At its core, the film is an invitation to slow down and rediscover the quiet art of conversation in an increasingly disconnected world.
The film made its world theatrical debut on February 21 at Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale as an official selection of the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
The story of EMPIRE now moves from the big screen to your home.
With its digital release, audiences everywhere can step inside the world of EMPIRE — a place where slowing down, sharing stories, and real connection still matter.
MEET THE CAST & CREW
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![A man sitting in a dimly lit room, smoking and holding a cellphone.]()
RYAN LEEDS
CO-FOUNDER & PARTNER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A bald man with a beard wearing a white dress shirt and jeans, holding a drink and smiling at the camera.]()
JASON REZNIK
CO-FOUNDER & PARTNER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A man in a light blue suit with a white shirt and sunglasses standing in front of a bar with various bottles of alcohol and glasses.]()
PETE BERNTSEN
OPERATIONS PARTNER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A man with a close-cropped haircut smokes a cigar in a dark room illuminated by red and blue lighting, wearing a t-shirt with text.]()
ALEX SANGIOVANNI
GENERAL MANAGER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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DAVID RESNICK
PARTNER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A woman with short hair and hoop earrings posing indoors in a white dress with a deep V neckline, in a dimly lit room with wooden and black furniture.]()
MIYA BURT-STEWART
MEMBER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A middle-aged man with gray hair and beard wearing a dark suit and black shirt, sitting in a room with wood-paneled walls, holding a cigar in his mouth, and wearing a gold watch.]()
JOSE MENENDEZ
MEMBER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A man sitting at a table in a restaurant, smiling at the camera, wearing a black shirt and striped pants, with other diners and restaurant decor in the background.]()
RUM CHOPRA
MEMBER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A man and woman sitting close together, both smoking and exhaling smoke in a dimly lit setting, possibly a bar.]()
GRACEE SMITH
MEMBER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A middle-aged man with silver hair and beard sitting on a black sofa in a room filled with wooden shelves. He is wearing a dark suit, white dress shirt, and a gold watch, holding a cigar in his right hand and looking confidently at the camera.]()
JOE LANSER
MEMBER | EMPIRE SOCIAL
CAST
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![A smiling woman with long blonde hair in a shiny, form-fitting, pale pink dress stands with her hand on her hip in an outdoor, city street setting at night. The background features colorful blurred city lights.]()
BRITTNAY THERESE
FILM DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
CREW
