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A Triad cinema, fated to close its doors by the end of the year, says things have taken a turn for the better. In September, a/perture cinema in downtown Winston-Salem announced it found itself in a dire situation.Leigh Dyer, the new executive director of the nonprofit art house cinema, says the challenges came with a time crunch. The finances here were in critical need, Dyer said. They did some projections for the remainder of the year and determined that if a/perture didnt immediately raise $100,000, it was going to have to close in 2025. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereDyer says a/perture is not only a movie theater, but an educational center as well. She says the cinema often shows small independent and student films, invites guest speakers and hosts other community activities. Dyer says though a/perture functions differently from many big movie theater chains, it faced some of the same challenges.What weve seen nationally as a trend is a lot of movie theaters have not really bounced back from the pandemic, with people changing their habits and streaming in their living rooms, Dyer said. But what we offer is a communal experience and educational experience. Its a chance to enjoy a film with your fellow film lovers, and you cant get that at home.Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.In order to keep the film projectors rolling, a/perture launched a fundraising campaignand the community answered its call.We did receive a lot of support in the form of individual donations and grants, and theyre still coming in, Dyer said. Dyer says donors often cited the community-oriented mission of a/perture as the reason they didnt want to see it go. Its a really unique experience, and people just didnt want to lose it, she said. I think were part of what makes downtown Winston-Salem what it is.Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsWXII visited a/perture on Dec. 28, which is recognized as National Short Film Day. The cinema shows mainstream blockbusters, but is also known for showing short films. Dyer says the medium is a crucial part of keeping the film industry going. Thats the way film students get into the business, Dyer said. We have a streetside cinema that is always playing short films for free for the public, often submitted by students.Having surpassed its $100,000 fundraising goal, a/perture is safe for now, but Dyer said efforts to ensure the cinemas long-term future are continuing. Dyer says a/pertures fundraiser is ongoing. You can donate to a/perture cinema by clicking here.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |