The impact of COVID-19 on the film industry has been huge, but it’s been amplified for local theaters, who are getting creative in navigating through the cinematic drought. Eric Tiernan, who owns movie theaters in both Stuart and Perry, explains part of the reason why business has slowed and two of the movies he was hoping to get to area residents.

“What they tell me is when Los Angeles has been shut down, New York shut down, and until those cities open up, we won’t have good movies. The blockbusters they had done, like Wonder Woman, Mulan, one we really banked on, are gone. Mulan was released video on-demand, Wonder Woman on Disney- plus.”

Without those blockbuster productions, Tiernan has relied on airing older holiday-themed movies with community support. This week’s film, airing Saturday, is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The public is invited to enjoy the free film. Capacity is limited to 50-percent at both theaters, with masks required when patrons are not seated and watching.