Cleveland Institute of Art names David Huffman as new Cinematheque director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2025

CLEVELAND—David Huffman—a film community leader who has more than 30 years of experience in movie exhibition, film marketing and film programming—will serve as the next director of the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.

More than 20 years of Huffman's film career have been at Cleveland Cinemas, best known for operating the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights and Capitol Theatre in Cleveland. He most recently served as special programs coordinator, and before that, as director of marketing and special programs. In those roles, Huffman programmed series such as the Late Shift cult film program and Pride Month films, and he created unique events that included Happy Hour Classics and 12 Hours of Terror.

Huffman will now bring his deep appreciation and extensive knowledge of a wide range of cinematic works to his new role at the Cinematheque, Cleveland's marquee venue for historic and avant-garde films.

"I couldn’t be more excited to take on the stewardship of the Cinematheque." Huffman says. "As a long-time patron and member, I know the importance of this institution to our city and the local film community. It’s an honor to be chosen as its new director, and I am excited to curate diverse programs that will live up to the high standards set by my predecessors."

Huffman will replace Bilgesu Sisman, whose nearly two-year tenure as director brought increased attendance and membership to the Cinematheque. Prior to Sisman, the Cinematheque's director was co-founder John Ewing, who retired in 2024 after screening more than 9,000 films over nearly four decades. Huffman will start June 1.

"We are very fortunate to have David lead the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. His experience and deep knowledge of film, as well as his strong connection to our Northeast Ohio community, will benefit our current audiences and help attract new ones," says Malou Monago, CIA Vice President of Institutional Advancement + External Relations. "As a devoted fan of the Cinematheque, David understands its role and importance in Northeast Ohio's cultural landscape. Having him on board is a great way to begin the program's 40th year."

As director, Huffman will be responsible for operations and programming, presenting a global selection of specialty films to the public and the CIA community. Building on the Cinematheque's rich legacy of introducing trailblazing films—and CIA's rich history of art and design education—he will work to expand and enhance the Cinematheque's influence on its communities.

"I love all types of films, and my programming will reflect that. I truly enjoy helping audiences discover something new, as well as showing them the important classics and foundational works that have been the building blocks of this art form," Huffman says. "Patrons can expect both challenging and fun films that will hopefully create lasting cinematic memories as I showcase important new works as well as classics and genre films from around the world.

"As people seem to be getting more isolated in the modern world, going to a movie is a critically important and uniting cultural experience," Huffman continues. "A movie can provide escape if you’re having a bad day, or it can introduce you to a new world you never knew existed. Seeing a movie in the theater with an audience is an experience that can't be replicated."

Huffman's previous film-world experience includes a five-year term as guest services manager for the Provincetown International Film Festival in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he facilitated the appearances of guests including Oscar-winners Tilda Swinton and Quentin Tarantino and moderated a Q&A with the iconic director Roger Corman.

Huffman is a self-proclaimed film fanatic who watches roughly 600 films a year. He recently logged his 110th screening of his favorite film, John Waters' 1988 comedy classic Hairspray.

Huffman earned a bachelor's degree in Film History, Theory and Criticism from Bowling Green State University. He also is the owner and host of Bitchy Vegan Homo, a start-up vegan bakery with a companion YouTube cooking show, and serves as a board member of the Cleveland Vegan Society.

Contact

Cleveland Institute of Art
Michael C. Butz, Director of College Communications + External Relations
mcbutz@cia.edu / 216.421.7404

Cleveland Institute of Art

The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for countless students who have gone on to make important contributions to the fields of creativity and innovation since it opened in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Its students have designed internationally recognized products, their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world, and their entertainment media has been enjoyed by audiences and game players for generations. It enrolls about 600 students nationally and internationally and has a faculty of about 100 full-time and adjunct members, all of whom are practicing artists, designers and scholars.

Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque

Founded in 1986, the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque is one of the country’s best repertory movie theaters, according to The New York Times. The program shows classic, foreign and independent films 50 weekends of the year. Its state-of-the-art Peter B. Lewis Theater features a 36-foot-wide screen, 4k digital and dual 35mm film projection, and Dolby Digital 7.1 sound.