Cool Heart Productions
Films that reflect life—confronting what communities are going through and opening the door to awareness, understanding and meaningful conversation.
The Purpose Behind the Films
From storytelling to community conversation.
Film reflects life. It gives people an opportunity to recognize what families and communities are experiencing, bring difficult subjects into the open and begin meaningful conversations.
Cool Heart Productions creates socially conscious short films designed not only to be watched, but to become starting points for awareness, guided discussion and continued community engagement.
01 Step one:
Human experiences are presented with empathy and honesty so audiences can recognize the realities affecting people around them.
02 Step two:
Community screenings, workshops and audience talkbacks are envisioned as spaces for open dialogue, reflection and greater awareness.
03 Step three:
The goal is to reach schools, nursing homes, caregiver communities, homelessness programs and organizations addressing important social issues.
The story begins on screen. Its impact continues in the community.
Explore Cool Heart OriginalsThe Screening Room
Short films rooted in real human experiences—bringing depression, homelessness, discrimination, betrayal and resilience into focus through stories designed to begin meaningful community conversations.
Film 01
Marlynne Cooley — Co-Writer · Producer · Actress
A middle-aged FBI agent works in a male-dominated profession while facing pressure from an agency that wants to replace older employees with younger hires. After losing her job, her marriage and the security she once knew, she falls into depression, alcohol and substance abuse, and eventually homelessness. Salvation Love explores middle-aged depression, age and gender discrimination, personal choices, loss and the difficult road toward rebuilding a life.
Conversation focus: Homelessness, depression, addiction, workplace discrimination and restoration.
Film 02
Marlynne Cooley — Writer · Producer · Actress
A young woman struggles emotionally after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts her life and sense of direction. Frightened about what may happen next, she becomes depressed, confused about her identity and fearful that she may no longer have a future. Her emotional crisis escalates toward self-harm as she tries to understand herself and survive the uncertainty surrounding her.
Conversation focus: Youth and young-adult depression, isolation, fear, identity, self-harm awareness and the emotional effects of the pandemic.
Film 03
Marlynne Cooley — Producer · Actress
Set during the 1950s, this period story follows Effie, a strong-minded woman whose husband’s adultery and financial betrayal have humiliated her throughout their small town. Determined not to accept further disrespect, she travels to confront him, and the encounter turns deadly. Already targeted by racist white men who have falsely accused her of another killing, Effie refuses to surrender quietly and prepares for a final confrontation.
Conversation focus: Racism, adultery, betrayal, women’s dignity, equal rights, injustice and resistance.
Cool Heart Productions Featured Project
In Development
Love never forgets. Even when memory does.
A Cool Heart Productions short film written by Marlynne Frierson-Cooley
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 other family members recognize that help is needed. Conflicting views about caregiving strain the family, until a tragedy forces them to confront the emotional realities of love, responsibility, change and loss.
Why This Story Matters
A Sister’s Devotion shines a light on the families and caregivers navigating dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Through an intimate story of sisterhood, the film is designed to encourage awareness, understanding and meaningful community conversations about caring for the people we love.
Beyond the screen, Marlynne envisions community screenings, caregiver-centered discussions and talkbacks with families, senior-care communities and organizations serving those affected by memory loss.
From the Filmmaker
Hear Marlynne discuss the inspiration behind A Sister’s Devotion, its focus on dementia and family caregiving, and her vision for bringing the project to the community.
Selected Production Work
Marlynne Frierson-Cooley brings her creative leadership to independent productions as a producer, casting contributor and performer.
Producer Actress portraying a nurse
A woman trapped in a coma experiences disturbing visions in which reality, fear and imagination begin to collide. Marlynne contributed to 314 as a producer, supported the casting and hiring of performers, and appeared in the film as a nurse.
2025 Test Screening Archive
314 held a test screening on November 3, 2025, at NYA Studios West in Los Angeles.
Watch the 314 TrailerOpens the official Instagram Reel in a new window.
Selected Acting & Stage Credits
Alongside her work as a producer and filmmaker, Marlynne Frierson-Cooley is an experienced actress whose performances explore family, conflict, mortality and the complexities of the human experience.
Role: A mother facing the final chapter of her life
Marlynne portrays a mother approaching the end of her life. The emotionally demanding role demonstrates her ability to bring sensitivity, restraint and an authentic human presence to the screen.
Role: Roberta Jackson
Marlynne performed as leading character Roberta Jackson in A Girl’s Guilt Trip at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles. The production ran October 10–26, 2025.
Marlynne appeared in the Los Angeles benefit staged reading of 12 Angry Jurors on July 22, 2018. The performance benefited Wendy Raquel Robinson’s Amazing Grace Conservatory.
Keep the Conversation Going
Connect with Marlynne Frierson-Cooley for community screenings, audience talkbacks, creative partnerships, producing opportunities, workshops and media inquiries.
Connect With Marlynne