Entertainment · Books & Arts · 3 hrs ago
Dylan Skolnick Returns to Long Island Cinema Arts Centre
Dylan Skolnick is returning to lead the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, New York, after being fired in September.
The centre’s board had cited what it called serious misconduct, including concerns that Skolnick’s freelance film-buying work for other cinemas created a conflict of interest.
Skolnick and his supporters disputed the board’s account, saying such work was common in the industry and that the board was undergoing a hostile takeover.
Protests and boycotts followed his firing, while donations fell and box-office receipts dropped.
After meetings with an independent mediator, the board and Skolnick agreed to move forward together.
The centre plans to hire a co-director and invite new board members, including people with film-industry experience.
Skolnick, the co-director and the board will also receive training on leadership and governance as the nonprofit works to repair relationships and address financial challenges.
Dylan Skolnick is returning as director of Long Island’s Cinema Arts Centre after protests and boycotts over his firing.
The cinema said its board reached an agreement with Skolnick after meetings with an independent mediator.
The board had removed Skolnick in September, citing serious misconduct and a conflict of interest over his freelance work as a film buyer.
Skolnick and his supporters said the board was undergoing a hostile takeover and that such freelance work was common in the industry.
The cinema plans to hire a new co-director, invite new board members and provide additional training on governance and workplace culture.
- Who
- Dylan Skolnick and the Cinema Arts Centre board.
- What
- Skolnick is returning as director after the board reached an agreement with him.
- When
- The announcement was published on November 8, 2026. Skolnick was fired in September.
- Where
- Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, New York.
- Why
- The board and Skolnick reached an agreement after meetings with an independent mediator following protests and boycotts over his firing.
Cinema Arts Centre board
Skolnick and his supporters
Reason for firing
Cinema Arts Centre board
The board cited serious misconduct and said Skolnick’s freelance film-buying work created a conflict of interest.
Skolnick and his supporters
Skolnick and his supporters said freelance film-buying work was common practice in the business.
Board dispute
Cinema Arts Centre board
The board described Skolnick as a dysfunctional and disloyal manager.
Skolnick and his supporters
Skolnick and his supporters said the board was experiencing a hostile takeover.
The Cinema Arts Centre board removed Skolnick, citing serious misconduct.
The board held a series of meetings with an independent mediator and reached an agreement to move forward with Skolnick.
The reinstatement announcement was reported by IndieWire.
- Institution
- Cinema Arts Centre
- Location
- Huntington, New York
- Reinstated director
- Dylan Skolnick
- Firing
- September
- Mediator
- Independent mediator
1 source
What people are saying
Those discussions have resulted in an agreement to move forward together, and we are pleased to welcome Dylan back to the Cinema.
Your voices made a difference, and your continued commitment to this institution means more than we can express.