Disclosed is a system and method for digitally scanning motion picture film with automatic recovery after a failed splice or break is repaired. The system includes a motion picture film digital scanner. Software executed on a processor either integrated within the motion picture film digital scanner or in an external computer communicating with the motion picture film digital scanner detects film breakage. When an operator signals that the splice repair operation is complete, the software directs the scanner to rewind the film by a pre-determined amount and resume scanning. The software automatically, and seamlessly, merges the scan sequences from before and after the splice repair operation.