A fundraising effort will begin Friday evening in Lake Placid to help embattled movie theaters in the Adirondacks remain open.
The days of 35-millimeter film projection are coming to a close as cinemas across the country transition to digital projection. But it’s an expensive investment, and some small movie houses are going dark because they can’t afford the equipment.
The Adirondack North Country Association - known as ANCA - hopes to raise nearly a million and a half dollars through a “Go Digital or Go Dark” campaign to help 10 movie theaters in the Adirondack region make the switch to digital technology. Spokesperson Melissa Hart says the project fits the organization’s rural development mission.
Documentary filmmaker Aaron Woolf is helping the Go Digital or Go Dark campaign.
Woolf, the creator of films such as King Corn and Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City, has made trailers for the campaign.
The Indian Lake Theater is a non-profit organization. Board Chair Ben Strader says it may have to operate in the red for a while, but with ANCA’s help, he’s optimistic the digital transition will be successful.
The Adirondack Film Society is working with ANCA on the fundraising effort. Manager Tim Brearton says if the local theaters can complete the digital transition, it will open numerous opportunities.
The premiere of the Go Digital or Go Dark campaign begins Friday evening at 5 at the Palace Theatre in Lake Placid.
