Bucks' forward John Henson...a movie star? Short film debuting at Cannes

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A lot of professional athletes make the most of their spare time by getting involved in the community, or starting their own foundations to help others. But how many end up on the big screen in their spare time?

"We decided to shoot something to show me involved in Milwaukee and it's kind of crazy because one thing led to another and now it's a short film in a festival," Milwaukee Bucks forward John Henson said.

Henson did something positive during his team's rough season.

Off the court, he paired up with students from UW-Milwaukee's Peck School of the Arts to create two films showcasing Milwaukee.

"It's just me going around the city of Milwaukee just showing what I'm doing and what the city's about and the different places -- the river and the statues, fly fishing. You know, stuff like that. It's going to be cool to watch," Henson said.

The fly-fishing film will debut this July at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival!

Henson doesn't know if his schedule will allow him to go to the festival, but he says being on a college campus again was rewarding enough.

"Working with the students -- it was kind of surreal. I was in that position a couple years ago. They were really cool and really helpful and they were serious about their craft. It was cool," Henson said.

The power forward encourages his teammates and other athletes to get involved in something off the court. He says you never know where it may lead.

"Basketball is such a big part of my life, but there's so much more to do off the court. I love fishing. It's a passion for me. Anytime I can do something -- whether it's shoot a video or something like that, it's fun," Henson said.

So does John Henson have a future as a movie star?

"I don't know if I'm screen friendly with my height, but just having the experience and being behind the scenes and seeing how it works might leap frog me into something along those lines," Henson said.

UW-Milwaukee professor Erika Frederick says the video was submitted just for fun -- with students having no idea it would actually take off.