We’re proud to announce that this year’s special guest speaker at the Abilene Frontier Film Festival is none other than Rankin Dean—a Big Country native, accomplished filmmaker, and the founder of Beyond Star Films. Originally from Colorado City, Texas, Rankin’s creative journey began humbly with homemade YouTube shorts filmed with friends. That early spark eventually led him to study at Abilene Christian University, where his passion for performance and storytelling truly took shape.

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Over the past decade, Rankin has built an impressive resume as an actor, director, and producer. For the last five years, he has been actively working in Los Angeles, where he continues to pursue his craft in both film and theatre. His credits include three feature films and countless short film projects, each showcasing his evolving voice as a filmmaker and his commitment to independent storytelling.

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As part of this year’s festival, we’re honored to host an exclusive screening of Rankin’s latest feature film, Dangerous Ones, a gripping and character-driven drama that reflects his distinctive creative style. Immediately following the screening, Rankin will take the stage to speak about the making of the film, his experience working with distribution companies, and what it takes to carve out a career in today’s ever-changing film industry.