Co-director of Huntington's Cinema Arts Centre, Dylan Skolnick, fired over what board believes was 'serious misconduct'

Huntington's Cinema Arts Centre, a venerable Long Island movie house with a focus on independent, foreign and classic films, is facing questions from patrons after firing its longtime co-director, and also the son of its founders, for alleged misconduct.

In an emailed statement Wednesday, the Cinema Arts Centre said it had "parted ways" with Dylan Skolnick, 58, "after discovering and communicating to him what it believed to be, and continues to believe was, serious misconduct." The email did not elaborate on the alleged misconduct. 

"This was a difficult decision given the family's history, but please keep in mind that major Board decisions like this are not made hastily," the email said.

Skolnick, in a statement to Newsday, called the allegation "unfounded" and added that he would review his options.

The firing came as a surprise to some of the cinema's members, contributors and patrons. Skolnick, 58, is the son of Vic Skolnick and Charlotte Sky, who founded the cinema in 1973 with little more than a borrowed projector and a bedsheet. Following the death of his father in 2010, Dylan Skolnick took over as co-director. Over the decades, the Cinema Arts Centre has become known as one of the oldest and longest-running independent theaters in the country, just a couple of years younger than Manhattan's famed Film Forum, founded in 1970.

"It’s been a model that theaters around the country have looked up to for at least 40 years," said David Schwartz, director of film programming at New Jersey's Barrymore Film Center and a frequent presenter at the cinema. "Anybody who is involved in independent film programming looks up to him, specifically. I’m sure that when the word gets out about this, people are going to be very shocked and upset."

Skolnick previously told Newsday a board member called him Tuesday to tell him he was terminated but "didn't give much of a reason."

Michael Kornfeld, a board member and the interim co-director of the cinema, said Wednesday he was "legally precluded from making any more comment," but that Skolnick had been aware of the reasons for his firing when it happened.

Skolnick, in a statement provided to Newsday on Wednesday afternoon, said: "For over 25 years, I have poured my heart into continuing my family's legacy and building the Cinema Arts Centre into a thriving cultural hub. My commitment to the CAC and our community has always come first and I’m proud of what we have built together. The Board’s unfounded assertions lead me no choice but to review my options."

Founded in 1973 as the New Community Cinema, the Cinema Arts Centre has long been considered a premier venue on Long Island for independent and foreign films. Sitting at the edge of downtown Huntington, it hosts film festivals for children and adults, and discussions with noted directors, actors and screenwriters, along with trivia and music nights.

On Wednesday afternoon, Anuradha Magee, 60, of Greenlawn, who had ventured into the theater for a movie, described Skolnick as "the face of the theater" and hoped it would maintain its local roots.

"I'm very confused as to why Dylan was let go," Magee said at the theater, which Thursday evening has a 1928 Buster Keaton classic among other films on the schedule.

"I think the board change is also very disturbing," she added. "I wonder what the influence of that is going to be for this place."

Nate Close, a spokesperson for the Cinema Arts Centre, said the theater "remains committed to film and the community" and will continue its programming "without interruption." 

Kelsie Greene, the other incumbent co-director, remains at the center.

Vic Skolnick, a Brooklyn-born lifelong film buff who once told Newsday his love of movies had gone beyond a hobby, died in 2010 at the age of 81. Charlotte Sky is now 95. 

According to the nonprofit’s most recent tax return document, from July 2024 through June 2025, Skolnick earned $72,099 as the co-director and chief financial officer. 

Reflecting on his and his parents' efforts over the decades to bring independent and sometimes obscure films to the heart of Long Island, Skolnick on Tuesday said: "I think we made an impact on the community, bringing artistic cinema to Huntington and creating a community of people who come together to watch these movies, to experience them, often to discuss them and talk about them."

When asked about what he wants for the future of the theater his parents founded, Skolnick said on Tuesday: "I want them to rehire me."

Ellen Hughey Reynolds, a Huntington resident and 38-year member of the cinema, voiced unequivocal support for Skolnick.

The board should meet with members "and explain why they did what they did, and answer questions," she said.

Glenn Andreiev, a Kings Park film historian and frequent presenter at the cinema who has known Skolnick for decades, said he was puzzled by his friend's firing.

"I'm completely befuddled, I can't figure it out," Andreiev said. "He was like the heart of the cinema. He grew up with the cinema."

Newsday's John Asbury contributed to this story.