A Grafton theatre is trying to keep the movies rolling

Grafton, ND (WDAY TV) -- The by the end of the year the movie industry will phase out film and go with all digital content.

This transition is not cheap, costing theaters close to 70-thousand dollars for new digital projectors.

It's show time at the Strand movie theater in Grafton. A new kid's movie is today's matinee.

Sophia Storie: "Hotel Transylvania, I like to come here with my friends."

Tom Henriksen's family has owned the Stand Movie theater since 1935. Since then, the movie house has had it's challenges including a fire that destroyed the building in 1945. But this year the theater faced it's scariest sequel so far.. and that is going from film to digital.

Tom Henricksen/Movie Theater Owner: "We don't have a choice we have to follow it or we have to shut down."

Vicki Lenz: "Put them on here start threading them up."

This film projection system will have to be replaced with an digital system. Costing 66- thousand dollars for each of the two Strand's auditoriums. That's a ticket price too steep for the Strand. Fearing the it would close group of people here formed the Save Our Stand.

Jack Maus/Save Our Stand Committee: " It's a charitable organization it's easier to get grants easier to get donations. "

Maus says there is enough community support to keep box office busy and keep this main street landmark lit.

Warren Bogart: "Been coming to the theater for 42 years I would say."

Patti Bjorneby/Movie Goer: "It's a family outing, its a kids birthday party, it's just a great get away."

Ami Lattergrass/Bring Kid To Movie: "It's my three year old son's first time going to a movie theater and he is pretty excited so. "

Through donations and fund raisers, so far, 130-thousand dollars has been raised The first digital projection will go in next month.

The goal is to raise a quarter of a million dollars which will also pay for renovations to the theater.

Tags: david schwab, news, updates, entertainment