Biography

Independent feature film producer Franco Sama boasts a remarkable and extensive history in public speaking, public relations, and over two decades of experience in independent film development, production, and financing.

Sama is a proud Producer's Guild of America (PGA) member and has Executive Produced and produced/co-produced an impressive array of over thirty (30) independent feature films including, most notably the hilariously dark comedy, "Guns, Girls and Gambling," starring Gary Oldman, Christian Slater, and Dane Cook, which acquired a distribution deal from Universal Home Entertainment.

Other films Sama has executive-produced include "Black Limousine," starring David Arquette and Vivica Fox; "Tooth and Nail," starring the late Michael Madsen and Vinnie Jones; and "Paid," starring Corbin Bernsen. Sama also serves as Executive Producer on the film festival darling "Petunia," starring Thora Birch, Brittany Snow, and Academy Award winner Christine Lahti.

Some of his most recent films include the release of the Australian TV Movie, "Suka," an electrifying action thriller, "Take the Night", the action-packed thriller that enjoyed a limited theatrical release in the United States; and Sama served as a Consulting Producer on "The Shift," starring Neal McDonough and Sean Austin, which has enjoyed a worldwide theatrical release.

Sama is the Executive Producer of the highly anticipated Elevated Musical Thriller, "Alexis Colette." The film is being directed by its writer and creator, Anthony W. Johnson. In addition, Sama and Johnson will also produce the exhilarating Fantasy Thriller "Vodun". Both films are slated to begin principal photography in Buffalo, New York, in the spring and fall of 2026, respectively.

Samaco Films, LLC, and Franco Sama both served as Executive Producer and Consulting Producer, respectively, on two true epic North Dakota historical sagas, "Hazel," which has been released in limited theaters in October 2025, and "Medora: Empress of the Badlands," which is slated for theatrical release in January 2026.

Sama is serving as a Consulting Producer for "Final Touch", a feature-length adventure romance film. This film is being directed by award-winning Dutch-Netherlander Johanneke Dijkstra, starring "Tulsa King's" own Tatianna Zappardino.

In his constant effort to educate and assist new filmmakers, Sama has traveled throughout the United States and the world, educating emerging filmmakers on the business of film funding. He was invited to speak at the Decibel Entertainment Festival in Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and has twice been the keynote speaker at the Annual V.I.P. Film Summit, held in Washington, D.C.

In addition to being a long-standing member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA), for whom he served as Chair of the Members Events Committee (2023-2025) Sama is an equity owner/partner for the Sydney, Australia based company, "Greenlight Entertainment Group" where he also holds the title of "North American Partner / Head of Executive Producing Services". He has been married to his husband, film director and author, Anthony W. Johnson, for over twenty years.
- IMDb mini biography by: Franco Sama