The community-run cinema is raising money to purchase digital projection equipment to ensure ongoing operations.

Without the updated equipment, Star Cinema could be forced to go dark.

“It’s getting harder and harder for us to get hold of films we can still screen with our outdated equipment,” Star Cinema manager Hannah Morton said. 

"As a not-for-profit cinema run mostly by volunteers, it’s a huge challenge.”

Star Cinema began in 2005 as a not-for-profit community enterprise and is one of the last in Victoria to convert to the new equipment.

Local organisations, along with the community, have helped Star Cinema raise more than $37,000. It needs a further $33,000 to complete the upgrade.

“It’s taken a while but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now,” Star Cinema president Paul Murphy said.

"The response to the public donation campaign has been just incredible.”

Mr Murphy said major sponsorship for the Go Digital or Go Dark campaign came from The Borough Club Bistro and Function Room as well as Empowering Eaglehawk, City of Greater Bendigo, McKern Steel Foundation and Eaglehawk UFS.

"Their sponsorship has made a huge difference to our fundraising goal and is very timely," Mr Murphy said.

Star Cinema has applied to the state government's Putting Locals First program for the balance of the required funds and is waiting on the outcome of its application.

To support the Star Cinema’s Go Digital or Go Dark campaign go to www.starcinema.org.au or call 5446 2526.