Help Transform Historic Cinema to a Film Community Center

In the fall of 2023, we revived the beloved Sticky Shoe theater on Main Street in American Fork, UT. From Halloween through New Year's, we brought dozens and dozens of films and events to the community, establishing a hub for reflecting on nostalgia while creating new memories!

New owners purchased the building in the new year, and we pushed on, determined to provide wonderful events for the community. Our deep belief in how vital storytelling is for us as individuals and as a society propelled us through the highs and lows of winter and spring!

Sadly, in June, an electrical fire broke out in the wall of our neighboring tenant. We were so grateful to the AF Fire Department for saving this historic cinema, just before its 75th anniversary!

We had planned a huge summer of incredible events; instead, for the safety of our community, the city disconnected the building from the power grid until repairs were properly completed.

The building owners finally began repairs in February 2025. We have the opportunity to continue this work for the community; as a result of the events from the past 9+ months, we need assistance to get back into the space and relaunch operating this historic cinema!

We have a vision to transform this theater into a non-profit Film Community Center: a hub where all have a place to come to connect over their love of films, from all eras and genres!

The potential is practically infinite: educational opportunities through collabs with schools and libraries on film history and book-to-film series, reviving our sensory friendly and autism events, creating spaces for the independent filmmaking community to network and fulfill their visions, including continuing assistance converting content to DCP format, providing spaces for events of all kinds, increasing food offerings to make a more comfortable space to stay and connect, and to enjoy film marathons more fully…..we are only limited by imagination and resources!

We appreciate any help towards our goal to re-launch and kickstart the next chapter of this important work in our community. Even just sharing this and spreading the word is a huge help and is GREATLY appreciated!!!

The Breakdown:

We will need funds to cover “first and last” months’ rent in order to get back into the space to set everything up (approx $25k)

We still have many supplies to fuel concessions, we'll need to supplement some consumable supplies (approx $2k)

If we are able, more robust concession offerings that would provide nostalgic treats and hearty options for film marathons, encourage folks to linger longer and connect, and draw more events would be ideal. This will require appliances such as an auto-fryer and small refrigerator (approx $20k)

We have some film titles still available to us; we will need funds for aquiring the rights for additional programming (approx $3k)

Additional beneficial projects: replace the 75 year old seating - pre-loved seating in Auditorium One that can work with film and live performance events, and unique, eclectic seating in Auditorium Two would enable diverse events for a variety of group needs (approx $10k)

Adding a small room at the back of each auditorium would create light & sound locks, as well as additional event spaces. This would entail mainly lumber (approx $5k)

We would also love to eventually repair the historic marquee!