The FWMBCC’s Film and Movie Institute started 25 years ago after Director Gwen Barbee was encouraged to respond to a trend in the area in which “rip-off” artists were cheating parents out of thousands of dollars with the promise of making their kids film and television stars. Barbee accepted the challenge and started the institute, not imagining it would still be in existence 25 years later. During that time, the Institute has had 15 movie premieres and three movie auditions. In 2017 Barbee and about 60 of her guests were invited to a special screening of the acclaimed film, Hidden Figures, at the Cinemark theater in Mansfield.

The Institute is open to children (age 6 +) and adults who are interested in careers in acting and filmmaking. Workshops are presented by industry experts covering crucial aspects of a career in the film and entertainment business, including: acting, modeling, film production, directing, writing, camera operation, staging and lighting. The fee for attending the Institute is $75. However, scholarships from locals sponsors allows for selected middle and high school students from Dallas-Fort Worth area schools to attend at no charge.

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Barbee at 682-365- 5895.

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Film Institute 2019
Red Tails
The Help Screening
A Man Called Jon