About CINEMA
CINEMA Cleveland was founded by Eric Swinderman and Mark Pengryn in 2006. While working on a film together they learned just how hard it was to obtain the necessary funds to complete the project. After many brainstorming sessions and conversations with other local filmmakers, C.I.N.E.M.A. (The Cleveland Independent Network of Entertainers, Moviemakers & Artists) was born with a mission to enable local fimmakers to produce films and thrive financially right here at home.
Based in Cleveland, Ohio, CINEMA is dedicated to the many talented artists in the Cleveland community. Each year the board of directors selects and supports, through financial funding and marketing, a new film produced by a local filmmaker. Throughout the year CINEMA hosts various events and gatherings, designed to promote a sense of community within the Cleveland arts scene.
CINEMA has joined forces with the Cleveland State University. We are very excited to be a part of a mutually beneficial relationship with such an established and well-respected organization.
CINEMA Executive Staff
Eric Swinderman - Executive Director
Eric Swinderman founded CINEMA in 2006. He is a graduate of Cleveland State University and an award winning writer/director whose works include Clean, The Donut Hole, Edgewater Park, Finding Utopia and The Anniversary.
He has studied at the famous Second City School for improvisation and has also worked in Cleveland as a sketch comedy writer and stand-up comedian. Currently he is a Film History and Appreciation instructor at The Cleveland Institute of Art.
It is Eric's vision to bring the works of the talented artists of Cleveland into the limelight by providing them with the proper tools and resources.
Mark Pengryn - Executive Director
Mark, who co-founded CINEMA, graduated from Cleveland State University with a BA in Communication, focusing on film and media studies. He also earned his Masters Degree in Communication Theory and Methodology from CSU.
With more than five years experience in the movie theater industry, Mark transitioned into making his own films, producing the independent film Clean and the award-winning short The Anniversary.
He has several film and multimedia projects in pre-production.
An avid fan and scholar of Asian film and Anime, Mark is teaching Intro to Asian Cinema and other film theory courses at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Deanna Cechowski - Fundraising Coordinator
Deanna Cechowski's involvement and love of the performing arts spans all the way back to her childhood.
She has an extensive résumé, having worked as a costume designer for Cleveland Public Theatre and Beck Center for the Arts as well as several feature films and has assisted with stage management at Cleveland's Ingenuity Festival.
After serving as the Associate Producer of the independent film Clean and star of the award winning short The Anniversary, Deanna has become more involved in the Cleveland film community and uses her knowledge of fundraising to expand the vision of CINEMA.
Thom Cechowski - Production Coordinator
Active in the local theatre community for years, Thom began his career in the movie industry in 2007 as Associate Producer and Location Scout on the movie Clean. In 2009 he starred in the award-winning short The Anniversary.
As Production Coordinator, Thom serves as the liaison between CINEMA and all aspects of multimedia production.
Joe Carlone - Director, Special Events
Joe graduated from William Paterson University, where he was active in the theater before earning his BA in Communications.Joe then lived in Italy for two years as a study abroad student and working as a DJ at Vatican Radio. Most recently he worked at PR Newswire, as a training manager.
Allie Levin - Intern
Allie will be graduating with honors from Shaker Heights High School in June 2010. She will be attending Ohio University for Media Studies in the Fall. Allie has made short films for her school and community over the past three years. She has taken film and photography related classes at Tri-C and Shaker High School. Allie has been the photographer for the school paper for two years. She aspires to be a Cinematographer for a feature film.
CINEMA Board of Trustees
- Dr. Kimberly Neuendorf
- Dan Henry
- Amy Swinderman
- Christina Capadona-Schmitz
- Michael Oatman
