NATCHEZ — A private screening tonight of a Mississippi-based film will raise funds to renovate the former Margaret Martin School on Homochitto Street.

The event featuring the full-length film “Son of a Gun” will start today at 7 p.m. at the Natchez Grand Hotel.

The film is based on a Southern legend about a woman allegedly impregnated by gunfire during the Civil War. The show is a product of Running Wild Films and is shot in parts of Port Gibson and Vicksburg.

Admittance is $25 per person with popcorn, wine and soft drinks provided at no additional cost.

The film’s writer and producer, Travis Mills, is also involved with other upcoming productions that were filmed in Natchez and generously offered a portion of tonight’s proceeds to be donated to Margaret Martin, said Dan Gibson, owner of Garden Song Bed and Breakfast and spokesperson for the Friends of the Natchez Centre group.

The group includes members of the Natchez Festival of Music, business owners and community members, created a vision to renovate the building into a community center and museum for various art mediums called “The Natchez Centre.”

Mississippi Sen. Bob Dearing recently pushed legislation that included $6 million for Margaret Martin, however, the funding was deleted from the final bond bill, Dearing said.

The project may not have funding from the state Legislature, but a group of local supporters of the facility are by no means finished moving forward on the project, Gibson said.

“Sometimes when the easy money doesn’t happen, it forces you to roll your sleeves up and do it yourself,” he said. “We’re going to get busy. … We’re also planning some concerts and a private party with a silent auction.”

Gibson said tonight is the first official fundraiser for the project with more fundraising efforts still being developed.

Meanwhile, there has been no shortage of support on the home front, Gibson said.

“An anonymous donor just made the announcement that they would match any donations for the center up to $5,000,” he said. “This will put us well on the way to hiring an architect for the project. … The state setback has added more momentum to our fundraising effort.”

So many reservations were made for tonight’s show that the venue had to be moved from Garden Song to the hotel for additional space, Gibson said.

“We were originally anticipating approximately 20 people, but now we’re expecting anywhere from 75 to 100,” he said. “We’re going to have special recognition for Sen. Bob Dearing and Rep. Robert Johnson III for supporting and a 10-minute Power Point showing our vision for The Natchez Centre.”

Tickets can be paid for at the door or online at www.eventbrite.com.