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cinemapolis_120Scott Bliss has been named Executive Director of Cinemapolis, following the retirement of founders Lynne Cohen and Rich Szanyi. Bliss has been in Ithaca since August 2011, when he was appointed the theater’s first Director of Business Development. In the seven months that followed, Scott worked to expand Cinemapolis’ presence in the community and increase the theater’s marketing, branding and advertising sales.

Bliss’ career in film exhibition began as a part-time employee at a six-screen regional chain while he attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence. He learned all facets of film projection and assumed a managerial position while in school. He was a regular customer at Liberty Hall, a twin-screen art and independent cinema located in downtown Lawrence. Soon after graduation, Bliss had the opportunity to purchase this business, and subsequently owned and operated the cinema at Liberty Hall for seven years.

Bliss is committed to preserving the tradition of excellent film in downtown Ithaca, honoring the legacy of Cohen and Szanyi. He will take Cinemapolis in new directions, and has already set up a system for ordering tickets online. Scott is looking into greater efficiencies for ticket and concession purchases, and hopes to expand theater rentals during off-hours. Bliss enters his position as the theater prepares to launch a capital campaign to raise funds for digital projection equipment, which will be the industry standard within the next year for showing film.

“I’m excited about the challenges presented by today’s world of film exhibition, and I feel confident that with the support of this terrific community we’ll meet these challenges and continue to serve the very best in fine movies” Bliss said.

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