WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — “I always like to think of programming as almost like making a mixtape or a playlist if you will," said a/perture cinema's events manager Jake Laystrom.
Laystrom is putting the finishing touches on a brand-new film festival in the heart of Downtown Winston-Salem: The Kino im Nord Karolina Film Festival. The festival is a collection of German films honoring the Moravian heritage of the city, such as Old Salem.
“There is so much history and community just in this small little area and we felt like film was just a great way to highlight different cultures and perspectives. It’s the cheapest way to travel really, without going too far," laughed Laystrom.
Although amidst the backdrop of this uplifting community programming, the nearly 15-year-old non-profit has hit a roadblock.
“There is absolutely a possibility without the funding and the philanthropy we’re asking for in the next few weeks and months, a/perture will absolutely close and there will be a huge gap n this community from an arts perspective," said Ted Tseng.
Tseng, a board member at a/perture cinema, was candid in assessing the current landscape of the theatrical experience post-COVID,
“Ticket sales and concessions of a traditional movie theater just aren’t enough to support an arthouse cinema right now, so we need to think outside the box with regards to philanthropy and creative ways to hopefully support this vital art form in our community," observed Tseng.
With an inching deadline of end of December, the cinema is having to adapt to a new landscape,
“I mean there has been so many things with the pandemic and the strikes that have put a hold on people wanting to go out to the theater but also just the streaming has just made it such a different experience for a lot of people and I think there is something that people miss about going to a theater," Laystrom said.
Going forward, while their future is hazy, a/perture still plans to cement itself in the Winston-Salem community,
“There is a model out there with other communities that have supported their cinemas, we here in Winston-Salem just need to figure out how to make it work," Tseng said.
Single tickets and festival passes for are available to purchase on a/perture's website.