Addison Henderson’s storied film career has taken him from his hometown of Buffalo to New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and even to West Africa. But throughout his journey, he kept coming home for film projects—most recently, a Buffalo Bills Mafia documentary titled, “Just One Before I Die.”
Now, Henderson, an actor, writer and director who also worked closely with the late Chadwick Boseman as a consultant and trainer, has chosen to come back to Buffalo once again, now as the inaugural artist-at-large for Villa Maria College’s Digital Filmmaking program.
As the son of the late Bishop William Henderson, the longtime pastor who saved the historic Michigan Street Baptist Church from demolition, Henderson learned from his earliest days to find ways to give back.
“My father, God rest his soul, was a pastor, and I watched him give back to the people and do mission work his whole life,” Henderson remembers. “Hollywood is not easy, but I knew I never wanted to be so wrapped up with myself and what I have going on that I forget about the people coming behind me. I wanted to be able to give back and share whatever expertise I may have.”
A random, fortuitous phone call from Villa Maria College President Matthew Giordano four years ago set the stage for a years-long partnership between Henderson and the Western New York’s only Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking program. Henderson started coming to Villa to work with students in 2023 and now returns at least once a month from his home in LA to speak in classes and coordinate hands-on workshops for students in his new role as artist-at-large.
Henderson says simply, “After talking with Dr. Giordano, I just felt I should have a presence here at Villa.”
To students and faculty, Henderson’s impact is immeasurable.
“Villa is very industry- and career-oriented. Our students have a camera in their hands within the first couple weeks of classes. We work to ensure our graduates can leave Villa and immediately walk on to a film set and feel confident and equipped,” says Sarah Mann, assistant professor and Digital Filmmaking program chair. “Our students are always hyped up when Addison comes to town. Having somebody who is working in the industry with such a high level of expertise is invaluable to the program. He gets our students thinking more creatively and connects them to a wide network of people in the industry.”
Henderson says he enjoys helping students develop their storytelling and media skills—something he and Mann emphasize as valuable skills in any profession, far beyond the film studio. Plus, making a difference in his hometown means a lot.
“These kids represent who I was, growing up in Buffalo,” says Henderson. “I’m just waiting for the day when one of these students’ short films wins Sundance or Tribeca. That’s what I see, that’s what I’m shooting for, to help these kids be able to really do some phenomenal work.
“I joke that ‘NYU has Spike Lee, and Villa Maria has Addison Henderson.’ I’m always going to try to help as much as I can and be there for the students. I know there are going to be some great ones, and I want to be a part of that.”
