In the late 1980s, Keith began traveling to South Beach for modeling gigs, and he liked the area so much he moved here in 1992. ''I loved the unorthodox style of Miami Beach,'' he says. ``There was an eclectic diversity that does not exist in the typical American town. It was almost like the Wild West opportunities for what I wanted to do.''

He soon founded the Miami Beach Film Society, which began primarily as a social network for movie buffs with events such as an outdoor screening of King Kong on the side of the Marlin Hotel and themed outings such as Movies to Dine For, in which a restaurant chef would create a meal inspired by the film the group had seen earlier that night.

JUST BIG ENOUGH

In 2003, Keith came across a vacant, 1,100-square-foot retail space at 512 Española Way that was just big enough for the movie house he envisioned, and the Film Society got a permanent home.

''To me the location and the experience of watching a movie is as important as the film itself,'' he says. ``. . . People immediately feel comfortable here. It's an intimate environment, not just an auditorium where you never speak to the person next to you, and you never feel the camaraderie that develops when you put a bunch of film buffs together.''

The Cinematheque opened with a screening of Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries. Since then, it has undergone improvements including the installation of plush, comfy seats and a high-definition projection system. Treasured film books, magazines, press books and other film-related materials fill several bookcases. The concession stand sells high-end chocolate, wine and liqueurs.

''Dana is an absolute treasure in terms of South Beach culture,'' says Kendall Natvig, who joined the Film Society in 2005. ``The knowledge he has about film and film history is absolutely incredible. And he always manages to convey that love of film to the audience, which is the most important thing.''

The Cinematheque's recent pairing with Emerging Pictures, which helps movies from IFC, Zeitgeist, Magnolia and other small distributors reach theatrical venues, means that Keith will be able to show more first-run movies. And as word continues to spread about the little movie palace he has established, his audience seems destined to grow.

''When they come for the first time, people are always surprised that it's so small,'' Keith says. 'But then they discover it's a perfect size for what we do. . . . [Director] Bruno Barreto, who was here during the Brazilian Film Festival, said `I feel honored to be in this little church.' And when Paul Morrissey was here, he said it reminded him of what he was doing in New York City in the 1960s, showing movies in alternative spaces.

``Normally, social activities on South Beach are not conducive to doing them on your own. But this place invites you into going out and doing something by yourself. This is a very inviting place.''

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