Curtain closes on art films at North Naples site

Book those flights to New York, Cannes and Bombay, because the folks who brought art house and foreign movies to Naples have lost their theater.

Pavilion Theater in North Naples had hosted the events, but Southwest Florida Film Society members screened their last film there May 25.

“Unfortunately, the Pavilion (operators) have decided it is not advantageous to continue having the film society screening our selections there,” organization president Maggie McCarty said.

Located on Vanderbilt Beach Road just west of U.S. 41, the Pavilion has a new manager and he wants to move in another direction, McCarty said.

However, Pavilion manager Bob Cunningham said it was the film society’s decision to stop showing movies at the theater.

Pavilion’s landlord increased the theater’s rent, and Cunningham said he was just trying to cover some of the potential losses from the increase.

He said he offered McCarty a “nominal (rent) increase; it was not even 10 percent,” Cunningham said.

McCarty said she doesn’t recall her conversations with Cunningham the way he does.

Created in 2003, the nonprofit film society has provided Southwest Floridians with alternatives to commercial movie releases by bringing in independent movies, documentaries, shorts and foreign pictures.

The deal was this: The film society would pay the costs for bringing in movies, which would be $300 to $500 plus shipping and handling, and the society and Pavilion would split the box office percentage.

“Essentially, they were giving us the screen for those dates,” McCarty said.

Film society movies were always shown in the middle of the week, she said.

Leaders of the local arts community were surprised and disappointed to hear that film society members had to find a new home.

“I think that Naples and Marco should have more (not less) opportunities for varied artistic, cultural events; this is a true loss for the community. People of all ages are attracted to communities that provide these types of opportunities; they are a driving force behind economic growth,” said Vickie Kelber, former artistic director of the Marco Island Film Festival.

“With real estate sliding and increased competition from other markets, we should have more, not fewer, artistic choices for our residents and to attract others who want a good quality of life.

“I hope they will be able to find another location ... I hope that the film society is exploring all options, including auditoriums in high schools and colleges. I have lived in other communities in which these venues were used very successfully for screenings of independent and foreign films,” Kelber said.

Elaine Hamilton, executive director of the United Arts Council of Collier County, said with all the theaters in Southwest Florida, she hopes one operator would welcome the film society’s offerings.

In addition to bringing in movies for its estimated 300 members, the film society also sponsors educational programs in area schools.

McCarty said she is talking with other theater operators and as soon as she finds a new home, she will notify society members.