The owners of the Varsity Theater on Franklin Street say they’ve raised enough money to convert one projector from film to digital, and they plan to aim higher in the next month.

“You know, it’s been overwhelming, to say the least, as far as the response,” says Paul Sharesian. He and his wife Susan bought the Varsity in 2009, bringing movies back to Franklin Street after the theater closed down earlier that year.

This December the Sharesians warned the screens might go dark again if they couldn’t raise the $50,000 needed to convert one of the theaters from 35 mm film to digital projection to keep up with new movie production standards.

They launched a Kickstarter campaign and garnered the full goal less than halfway through the 60 day fundraising window.

Sharesian says any additional money raised in the remaining month will go to convert the second projector, which will cost another $50,000.

“The equipment is $50,000 per theater. Even though the one theater is much larger in terms of seat capacity, it’s the same projector.”

He says he’s thrilled not only to have met the goal to go digital, but by the outpouring of support from the community.

“Susan and I have been overwhelmed by the support, both financially though the pledges and through emails,” says Sharesian. “We really do appreciate it.”

More than 700 people have pledged money to the campaign so far. You can find out more here.

Related Stories
‹
Talking Culture: Previewing the 2025 Argyle Film Festival
Friday, January 31, Chapel Hill will host the 2025 Argyle Film Festival, screening films by emerging independent North Carolina filmmakers.
'The System is Broken': Organizer Previews Film Advocating for New Tax Policies Before Chapel Hill Screening
Jacob Brooks, who works for the Patriotic Millionaires, joined 97.9 The Hill to talk about screening "The Deciders" in Chapel Hill.
Daily Tar Heel, Duke Chronicle Using UNC-Duke Rivalry to Fundraise for Student Journalists
The Daily Tar Heel and Duke Chronicle have returned with another year of their Rivalry Challenge fundraising effort around the UNC-Duke game.
As People Visit 9/11 Memorial, Chapel Hill Resident Recounts its Fundraising Efforts
Chapel Hill resident Lori Doherty helped play a major part in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City becoming possible.
Folwell Lends His Governor’s Campaign $1 Million; Stein, Robinson Still on Top With Money
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Most of what North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate and State Treasurer Dale Folwell raised during the first half of the year for his campaign committee has come from $1 million that he loaned it, according to a new campaign finance report. Folwell’s campaign, like others whose candidates are on ballots in […]
North Carolina Governor Candidate Stein’s Campaign Raises About $6 Million in Past 6 Months
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein’s campaign announced Monday it collected nearly $6 million during the first half of the year, an amount following the Democrat’s robust fundraising for his past successful elections for attorney general. Campaign finance reports for the first six months are not due at the State […]
'They're the Future of Film': Chapel Hill Black Film Festival Returns
The second annual Chapel Hill Black Film Festival is returning this Friday and Saturday to the Varsity Theater.
NC Senate Hopeful Beasley Says $7.4M Raised in Last 3 Months
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley will report raising more than $7.42 million during the entire second quarter, her campaign said, a robust figure to close out her primary victory and build up her coffers for a general election campaign against Republican Ted Budd. Beasley’s campaign said Tuesday that her next […]
McCrory, Budd Still Close In NC Senate Campaign Fundraising
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON U.S. Senate hopeful Ted Budd is benefitting from President Donald Trump’s endorsement and a super PAC’s commitment to flood airwaves and mailboxes to help him as the May 17 Republican primary approaches. But rival and former Gov. Pat McCrory still has managed to stick close to Budd when it comes to head-to-head […]
Beasley Makes Largest Quarterly Fundraising in Senate Bid
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The heavy favorite to win next month’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in North Carolina announced on Thursday that her campaign brought in its largest quarterly fundraising haul to date. Cheri Beasley will report to federal election officials that she raised over $3.6 million in the first three months of […]
›