SAVE

OUR

cinema

One of Long Island’s most important and revered
cultural institutions is in danger. 

We (members, friends and cinema supporters) are outraged that the Cinema Arts Centre Board is making reckless decisions that have thrown this treasured arts organization into chaos. 

The decision to fire long time CAC Co-Director Dylan Skolnick without cause, then smear his reputation with vague innuendo, is unforgivable. Dylan has dedicated almost his entire adult life to the CAC and has played a key role in growing it into an internationally respected cinema.

The facts:

  • The Board fired long-tenured and respected co-director Dylan Skolnick on September 1, without giving him the opportunity to respond and address his firing.

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  • Having already defamed Dylan by saying the cause was "serious misconduct," the Board then said they would not comment further, claiming "privacy reasons."

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  • They issued a 15-page "demand letter" after he was summarily fired, which repeatedly addressed only ONE issue: Dylan's outside consulting for other Cinemas, which was (1) approved by a prior Board; (2) in keeping with the law; (3) consistent with industry practice;  and (4) posed no competition with the Cinema Arts Centre.  In fact, Dylan's "side gig" (booking, not programming!) actually enhances his reputation and bargaining power and accrues to the Cinema's benefit.

in addition…

  • Board Chair Matt Daidola is failing to demonstrate leadership by refusing to address the public outrage, or respond to questions directed to him.

  • A Board member participated in
    the vote to oust Dylan, then stepped into Dylan's position, which is illegal under NYS nonprofit law.

This is unacceptable and we demand the restoration of Dylan’s position as Director and the resignation of the current board members.

act now

Help keep the Cinema alive and protect its standing as a key cultural institution in the local and national film industry!

speak out

Please send emails to the current CAC board and to our elected town officials. Click the button below for a sample letter and the email addresses. Our demands are clear:

→ Dylan Skolnick must be immediately reinstated as Co-Director.

→ Co-Directors Michael Kornfeld & Kelsie Greene, must resign.

→ Board Chair Matthew Daidola, and current CAC Board members must resign.

click here for Email resources

demand transparency

It is reported that mail being sent to board members is being intercepted. Insist that your correspondence, including emails, postcards, U.S. mail, and certified mail, be delivered to the addressee.

Sign and share

Sign the petition to have Dylan reinstated as Director of the Cinema Arts Centre. This will be sent to the current board but will also be visible as a show of solidarity and continuing support. Please share with others in your community who care about the cultural integrity of Huntington and comment what the Cinema means to you.

Sign the Petition

Spotlight local revenue

Remind local businesses that, in addition to its role as a cultural gem, the Cinema brings in around $7 million in revenue to Huntington Village.

Events will also be updated on our Events Page and will be continuously added to.

take a stand

Cinema members are demanding refunds, major donors are pulling back, and filmmakers and distributors are cancelling their events in support of Dylan's reinstatement and to protest the current board's actions.

Current CAC Board of directors

Matthew Daidola (Board Chair)
Partner, TA Law Group, PLLC 
mjdaidola@gmail.com

Michael Kornfield
Interim CAC Co-Director
mskornfeld@yahoo.com

Glenn Seidman
Owner, Empire Medical Compression Fittings. LLC 
glenn.e.seidman@gmail.com

Jonathan Gross
VP, Small Business Banking, Long Island, Valley National Bank 
jonathangross28@gmail.com

Tom Fazio
VP, Business Banking National Strategy, JPMorgan Chase 
trfazio@hotmail.com 

Suzanne Ettinger
Attorney At Law, Partner Ettinger Law Firm
settinger@trustlaw.com

Stephanie Rubin (Co-Secretary)
LCSW-Therapist
stephanierubin81@yahoo.com

Monisha George
PT, DPT Compass Physical Therapy 
moegeorge94@gmail.com

Kelsie Greene
CAC Co-Director
kelsie@cinemaartscentre.org

Prof. Martin Haas (Co-Secretary)
Adelphi University 
haas@adelphi.edu

…and please email our Huntington Town Board
cc-ing Town Clerk Andrew Raia at araia@HuntingtonNY.gov

Edmund J. Smyth, Supervisor
esmyth@HuntingtonNY.gov

Dr. Dave Bennardo, Councilman
dbennardo@HuntingtonNY.gov

Brooke A. Lupinacci, Councilwoman
blupinacci@HuntingtonNY.gov

Theresa Mari, Councilwoman
tmari@HuntingtonNY.gov

Jennifer Hebert, Councilwoman
jhebert@HuntingtonNY.gov 

Thoughts from our Community and Film Industry

  • “The reason given was vague and without context. The Board owes it to CAC’s membership to explain its action, especially given the harsh language against Dylan that maligns his reputation. Until we know the truth, I see Dylan’s removal as a stain on the Cinema’s legacy.”

    Linda S.

  • “When the power of LOVE overcomes the love of POWER the artistry and dedication of Dylan as the legacy to the dream of Vic & Char will be not only reinstated but RESPECTED again. Truly every nonprofit organization needs to evolve over time, but much like tending a garden, you don’t plow over the landscape to help it grow.”

    Dorian S.

  • “I discovered Cinema Arts shortly after I moved to Long Island in 2007. It has ever since been one of the most important parts of my life here. I hate the idea of losing cinema over Dylan's firing but I don't think I can continue to support it if this decision is not reversed.”

    Jane J.

  • “The Board’s shabby treatment of Dylan Skolnick is embarrassing and damaging to the cultural life of Huntington. The Board is hiding behind a poorly written firing notice intended to harm Skolnick by hinting at serious misconduct it avoids naming. What is apparently a minor dispute over his side gig supporting other film organizations is being turned into a firing offense. Dylan and family are heroes here. Everybody knows that. Reinstate immediately.”

    Spencer V.

  • “Dylan is more than an executive director. The Cinema is his life, as it has was for his parents. Now he is its heart as they were before him. It would not be the Cinema without him. He works tirelessly and brings a lifetime of knowledge to his role. His contacts are impressive, and he brings top-shelf actors, directors and others to us that few others could equal. I've known this family for 30 years. I cannot imagine Dylan doing anything that a reasonable person would consider ‘misconduct.’”

    Bett B.

  • “The Cinema Arts Center is cultural jewel for Long Island. Dylan has done an extraordinary job of building on his parents' legacy. The board has fired him, apparently without warning. It has accused him of misconduct without defining it or attempting remediation. This is unjust, inhumane, and unacceptable. CAC is community supported. Its board represents and should be responsible to that community. In this matter it has failed in its duty of transparency.”

    John I.