Forrest Gump promotional photo of Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks) seated on a woode bench alone with a suitcase

SFA’s First Friday Film Series will screen “Forrest Gump” at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House. Admission is free.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of the Oscar-winning motion picture “Forrest Gump” at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

Celebrating the endearing film’s 30th anniversary, the Friday Films committee plans to have film-related trivia questions and themed prizes before and after the showing. 

Based on the novel by Winston Groom and starring Tom Hanks in the title role, “Forrest Gump” tells the history of the United States during the 1950s to the '70s from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart. Gump, a gentle soul born in a small southern town, happens into one memorable experience after another.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film also stars Sally Field, Robin Wright Penn and Gary Sinise. “Forrest Gump” received six Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects. The film is rated PG-13 for drug content, some sensuality and war violence. 

The School of Art’s First Friday Film Series is sponsored in part by retired filmmaking Professor William Arscott. The Cole Art Center, SFA’s historic downtown gallery, is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.