Hundreds rally in Huntington to protest firing of Cinema Arts Centre co-director
More than 300 people gathered outside the Cinema Arts Center, as supporters of former co-director Dylan Skolnik called for his return and voiced concerns about the future of the institution.
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More than 300 people gathered outside the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington on Saturday evening to protest the recent firing of Dylan Skolnik, the center’s former co-director.
Longtime members, filmmakers and community supporters attended, expressing concern about the future of the arts institution and opposition to the board’s decision.
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"It's a place I've been going to exclusively for 25 years and I really hate to see it die," said Wallace Matthews, a longtime member.
Supporters said the Cinema Arts Centre plays an important role in the community and provides opportunities for residents.
"It gives a lot of opportunities to us and we just want to be able to keep it in our lives for as long as we can," said Huntington High School student Imogen Thaler.
The Cinema Arts Centre board fired Skolnik last month for what it described as "serious misconduct."
Since then, members have boycotted the business in protest of the decision.
"We're fighting every day and we're not going to we're not going to stop. We're going to keep fighting until we win," Skolnik said.
Skolnik said he had been booking films on the side as part of a separate business but maintained that the work did not interfere with his responsibilities at the Cinema Arts Center. Supporters of Skolnik argued that his actions were consistent with how independent cinema communities often operate.
"What they're accusing Dylan of is actually how the community supports itself. One small cinema supports another," said actor and filmmaker Kirk Larsen.
The Cinema Arts Centre's founder, 95-year-old Charlotte Sky, also attended the protest and expressed concern about the organization's future.
"The cinema has meant so much to so many people," Sky said.
Movie lovers and filmmakers called the Cinema Arts Centre a unique and important part of Long Island’s arts community.
"I think overall the outcome is to preserve the arts that we have here in Huntington at all costs," said Huntington resident Toby Walker.
In a statement, the board of directors said it has reached out to the protest group Save Our Cinema.
The board also said it offered a consulting role to the group's founder, who did not accept.
The board added: "I have tried to engage in good faith and find common ground because I believe we share the same goal, which is protecting the Cinema Arts Centre. I remain open to constructive dialogue. But if our shared goal is to protect the Cinema, then that should be reflected in how we choose to move forward."
