BY MICHAEL HASKINS

keysnews.com

The Key West Film Society's new home at 416 Eaton St. is an empty, cavernous hall that echoes footsteps and whispers of its members as they talk of their dreams and plans for the location.

Possibly by the end of the year, the building between Duval and Whitehead streets, which in the late '90s housed a laser-tag game room, will hold two movie theaters and a large lobby with popcorn machine.

Plans being discussed focus on movie memorabilia, including T-shirts and posters as well as movie-related publications available. "It will be a meeting center for arts people," said Michael Shields, the film society's president.

Shields said a long-term lease for the property has been signed and "we are already raising funds for the needed restorations and equipment."

Just a week after the film society announced it needed $500,000 for the restoration project, Shields said half that goal has already been reached. [The budget has since been raised to $800,000]

"Some big hitters have stepped up, but we desperately still need the small contributors' help," he said, adding the group is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, so contributions are tax deductible.

The main theater -- the first downtown since the Picture Show on Duval Street closed in the mid-'80s -- will seat 150-175 and be equipped with a 35 mm projection system, including surround sound. The smaller screening room will seat 60 and use digital projection.

"The main theater will have a small stage that will make the room multi-purpose," Shields said. "It could be used as a lecture hall or even a small live theater."

It would be the first permanent home for the film society, which has about 800 members and since forming in 1999 has shown more than 200 movies in various locations in Key West.

The society wants the theater to be used to support other arts groups on the island, as well as be available for social, educational and environmental groups.

"Our success helps other art organizations," said George Cooper, the group's vice president. "We will be an independent exhibition center, like so many other centers in Florida."

It has already begun to form links with other film societies and exhibition centers in Florida and plans to use these links for booking films. "Key West is often thought of as an arts destination," Shields said. "To be a true arts destination, you need film and Key West will have film by the end of the year."

The society is convinced, based on its three-year track record, that the theater will support itself once it is open. "The audience is here," Shields said. "But we must convert this space into a theater and equip it with top-quality equipment."

Architect Michael Miller -- who just redesigned the Red Barn Theatre -- has agreed to design the theater's space.

While the society plans to run the theater as a real movie theater -- it will be open daily -- it does not see Regal Cinemas in New Town as competition. Tickets will cost $8, $5 for members of the society.

"There are a lot of movies out there that never make it to Key West," said board member Corky Irick. "We will be a different market than Regal."

Added Cooper, "We have had to turn people away at some of our screenings. Now we will be able to run a movie three times a day, when called for. We can now broaden our taste in movies."

mhaskins@keysnews.com