Originally from the Pittsburgh area, David Huffman grew up in his father’s photography studio. He learned at an early age the power of the captured image. Movies were his favorite pastime and became a true passion as he received his degree in Film History, Theory and Criticism from Bowling Green State University. After graduating, he began working for Regal Cinemas as a theater manager in his hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania before moving to the Cleveland area in 1997.
In 2003, he joined the Cleveland Cinemas team and became the Director of Marketing for the Cleveland-based chain best known for operating the Cedar Lee Theatre and Capitol Theatre. Huffman expanded this role to include programming series like the Late Shift cult film program and Pride Month films, as well as creating unique events such as Happy Hour Classics and 12 Hours of Terror.
Huffman grew his experience in the film world further as a staff member of the Provincetown International Film Festival (Provincetown, Massachusetts), acting as the Guest Services Manager for five years. During his tenure he facilitated the appearances of guests including Oscar-winners Tilda Swinton and Quentin Tarantino, and he moderated a Q&A with the iconic Roger Corman.
With more than 30 years of experience in movie exhibition, film marketing and film programming, Huffman has an appreciation and knowledge for a wide range of cinematic works that he will bring to the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.
Huffman is a self-proclaimed film fanatic who watches roughly 600 films a year and who recently logged his 110th screening of his favorite film, John Waters’ 1988 comedy classic, “Hairspray.”
