SFA to screen ‘John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs’

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of “John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs,” directed by filmmaker and SFA alumnus Derek Wayne Johnson, at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House. Featuring interviews and footage of filmmaker Martin Scorsese along with Matthew McConaughey, Sylvester Stallone, Ralph Macchio and scores of other Hollywood hitmakers who starred in Avildsen’s films, the documentary is an examination of the Oscar-winning director who brought to life some of cinema’s most beloved motion pictures. The School of Art’s Friday Night Film Series is sponsored in part by 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.