Presents
Writer · Director · Producer
Where Humanity Takes Center Screen
Marlynne Frierson-Cooley creates films inspired by lived experience—bringing difficult truths into focus and opening space for awareness, dialogue and understanding.
A short cinematic introduction for Cool Heart Productions and A Sister's Devotion.
A cinematic introduction
Choose how you would like to experience this short opening teaser.
Meet the Filmmaker
Marlynne Frierson-Cooley
Producer • Director • Writer
Marlynne Frierson-Cooley is a Cleveland-born, California-based filmmaker, actress, voice-over artist and arts educator whose creative work spans film, television, theater and audio storytelling. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting from the University of Cincinnati and completed postgraduate theater studies at the University of Akron.
Her television credits include Netflix’s Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!, ABC’s Bless This Mess and NBC’s This Is Us. Her film work includes A Love of a King, Trade, Salvation Love, I Am Too an American, Jamie and It’s Not Black Enough. Her stage credits include The S.U.G.A. MAMAS, The Lynching of Elfie Childs, Blessings, 12 Angry Jurors, Supernatural and a Harriet Tubman one-woman show and MAC Arts Council’s Murrieta production of Rosetta & The Mt. Calvary Missionary Club.
Marlynne has produced three short films in the film-festival arena and uses Cool Heart Productions to create socially conscious stories rooted in real life. She has taught spoken word, acting, improvisation and performance. Her three confirmed audiobook narration credits are Beauty and the Barber by Emmanuel Sullivan, Hidden on Purpose: Misunderstood but Unmistakably Chosen by Corrine Knight and Caught Up by Nevada York. Her other voice work includes commercials, voice consulting and the role of the “conspiracy mother” on the iHeartRadio podcast My Momma Told Me. She was recognized among Courageous Woman Magazine’s Top 25 Women in Business in 2018. Beyond her work, she is a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Film imitates life. It gives us a way to tell the stories people are living through.
BA • Broadcasting
Postgraduate • Theater
Netflix • ABC • NBC
Arts Educator • Youth Speaker
3 Audiobooks • Voice-over
Actress • Storyteller • Filmmaker
The Purpose Behind the Films
From Performer to
Purpose-Driven Filmmaker.
Long before producing her own films, Marlynne built her foundation as an actress, voice artist, theater educator and storyteller. Today, she brings those disciplines together to illuminate real experiences and invite meaningful community conversation.
From Screen to Community
Screenings
Talkbacks
Workshops
Partnerships
Career, Community & Impact
A Life of Storytelling,
Service & Purpose.
From screen and stage to classrooms and community spaces, Marlynne Frierson-Cooley has built a body of work rooted in truth, dignity and meaningful connection.
Film & Television
A screen career shaped by character, purpose and stories grounded in real life.
NetflixDad Stop Embarrassing Me!
ABCBless This Mess
NBCThis Is Us
Selected Film Credits
- A Love of a King
- Trade
- Salvation Love
- P = CV-19 Chaos
- Effie on the Other Side of the Gun
- 314
- I Am Too an American
- Jamie
- It's Not Black Enough
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Short films produced and presented within the film-festival arena.
Local Stories. Local Voices. Lasting Conversations.
Featured Project In Development
A Sister’s Devotion
Love never forgets. Even when memory does.
Based on a True Story
Planned 15-Minute Short
Murrieta • Riverside County
The Story
Two older sisters share a home and a lifetime of memories. When the younger sister begins showing signs of dementia, the eldest struggles with denial while their family confronts the emotional realities of caregiving, change and loss.
Sisterhood • Dementia Awareness • Caregiving • Family
Next: Production & Funding VisionProduction & Funding Vision
Help Bring This
Story to the Screen.
A Sister’s Devotion is being developed as a 15-minute short film rooted in family, memory and compassionate storytelling.
Your Support Helps Fund
Cast & Crew
Equipment & Locations
Meals, Makeup & Production Needs
Post-Production & Marketing
In Development
Support A Sister’s Devotion
Donate Securely Through GoFundMe
$20,000
Total Production Budget
$10,000Secured
$10,000To Go
Contributions support film production and are not represented as tax-deductible charitable donations.
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Contact & Connect
Let’s Create
Something Meaningful.
Connect with Marlynne for film collaborations, producing opportunities, screenings, speaking engagements, youth workshops, and media inquiries.