Who is Franco Sama?
Franco Sama
Independent feature film executive producer Franco Sama boasts an impressive and extensive history in marketing, public relations, television and film development. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology Sama began his illustrious business career on the East Coast as a consultant to the automotive industry where he successfully and consistently turned marginally profitable General Motors, Mercedes Benz, Toyota and BMW dealerships into thriving profit centers, each within several short months. Sama showed early signs of entrepreneurship when he bought the company that hired him only three years earlier then sold it back after increasing its profits by nearly 300%.
Once arriving in Los Angeles in 1997, Sama landed his dream job as publicist to the late, renowned celebrity photographer Jay Spence. The efforts of his very first assignment, a private fundraiser at the Francis Ford Coppola estate in Napa Valley, resulted in a glorious six-page spread inside the pages of IN STYLE Magazine. This successful introduction to the world of publicity led to numerous other assignments with many more high-profile celebrities such as Will Smith and Jada (Pinkett) Smith, Lynn Redgrave (Gods and Monsters), Gary Oldman as well as with other major publications such as “People,” “Elle,” “Vogue” and TV Guide.
In 2004 Sama completed production of a journalistic style photography book titled “Fearless Women: Midlife Portraits” which quickly became a top seller and an Amazon.com favorite. Sama also produced and directed the documentary film version of “Fearless Women” personally interviewing such notable personalities as the quintessential environmental and human rights advocate Erin Brockovich, Power Attorney Gloria Allred, television and stage star Cybill Shepard, and legendary singer/songstress Joni Mitchell.
Then, in 2005 Sama co-founded and became CEO of Fylmar Productions, LLC.
In 2007, under the Fylmar shingle, Sama executive produced and released his first film into theaters nationwide. “Tooth & Nail”, which became a top seller in DVD sales as part of several distribution deals through Lion’s Gate Entertainment, Blockbuster, Netflix and Amazon.com.
In 2009 his company expanded to distribute films both into theaters as well as onto DVD domestically and internationally; also in 2009 Franco released the film “PAID”, starring Tom Conti, Guy Marchand and Corbin Bernsen, on DVD through Vivendi/Universal.
In 2010, Sama completed production on his latest independent feature film “The Land of the Astronauts” starring David Arquette, Vivica A. Fox and Bijou Phillips which premiered at the Montreal Film Festival and is expected to reach theaters by the end of 2011.
Most recently, Sama co-produced the film “Guns, Girls and Gambling” starring Christian Slater, Gary Oldman and Sir Anthony Hopkins also due out in theaters soon and co-executive produced “Petunia” starring Brittany Snow, Thora Birch and Christine Lahti, which recently completed principle photography in New York City.
Next, Sama will co-produce the indie thriller “Broken” alongside “X-Men” producer Ralph Winter and is honored to be working with “Bionic Woman” and “Incredible Hulk” creator Kenneth Johnson producing “V”, one of the most highly anticipated sci-fi films of the decade.
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