LOVELL — The late movie director Jonathan Demme’s boat is staying on Kezar Lake.

Lovell Historical Society President Cathy Stone said the 1967 Correct Craft Mustang ski boat sold Sunday at the society’s annual auction for $6,500, an auction record.

Demme, who had a camp on the lake, was an Oscar-winning director best known for films such as “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Philadelphia.”

After Demme died last year, his widow donated his boat for the auction.

Demme had owned Spindrift for about 20 years, and enjoyed pulling his kids around on inner tubes and pushing the antique motor’s limits, according to the local marina.

He had purchased it from another Kezar Lake homeowner. The boat had only been driven on the lake.

Stone said the historical society was grateful for the donation and happy for the record bid.

“It was a member of the audience, someone who has a place on Kezar Lake, so the boat stays on Kezar Lake, which is really wonderful,” she said.

The auction raised more than $12,000, which supports operating costs for the historical society.

“We need to have money for heating oil, repairs on the building, everything else,” Stone said. “It’s costly (to stay open year-round). Very few do it, and we’re able to pull it off.”