Augustana Film to host actor, writer and director Frank Harts

Augustana College Film Program and the Film Club will host acclaimed actor, writer and director Frank Harts March 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Olin Auditorium, 733 35th St., Rock Island. The free event is open to the public.

The event will include screenings of Harts’ award-winning short films “Be True to Your School” and “Two Wongs,” which premiered at more than 10 festivals and recently received distribution. A Q&A will follow as well as a masterclass discussion on the industry actor/director relationship.

Harts, a Sterling, Ill., native, stars in the Academy Award-nominated film “Rustin,” the series “Prodigal Son” as JT Tarmel, the upcoming Netflix series “The Beast In Me” starring Claire Danes, and the final season of “PowerBook III: Raising Kanan” for Starz. On Broadway, Frank acted the role of George Murchison in the Tony Award-winning production of “A Raisin in The Sun.”

Associate Professor Stacy Barton said this is an incredible opportunity to learn about the industry and explore possibilities.

“For our Midwestern film students and young actors, to have the opportunity to interface with an industry success story like Frank’s, it has the potential to change their perspective and to inspire them to take a leap and aim high for goals that may seem out of reach at the moment.”

Barton established Augustana’s major and minor film curriculum and designed the facilities, with a focus on cultivating well-rounded, holistic filmmakers with the skills to bring to life professional, complex and creative productions from idea to completion. The program’s state-of-the art production studio and iMac editing lab is located at Sorensen Hall.

The Augustana Film Club has over 30 members and meets twice monthly. The club hosts Friday night movie showings and participates in film production and screening opportunities. Last October, five Film Club teams joined the Putnam Museum and Science Center’s inaugural 48-hour Film Festival, with Film Club teams earning 1st and 3rd place Audience Choice Awards for their short films. The club is open to students of all majors and interests.