Willie Coggins

Willie Coggins is an accomplished screenwriter and producer. Born in Waterbury, CT, Mr. Coggins is one of the first Black screenwriters from the state, driven by his vision to expand cinema for BIPOC. In 2007, Mr. Coggins started his career in film production by creating "The Ave," a show on public access television that showcased local artists and entertainers. Next, having already become involved in the music industry as the hiphop artist Massadon, he began to produce music videos for other local artists. His passion for entertainment led him to write his first screenplay, Oil and Water, which debuted fellow FFIC executives Crescen Coggins and Gewaun Coggins in supporting roles. The film was a success locally and inspired Mr. Coggins to continue to write, direct, and produce. In 2015, Mr. Coggins collaborated with Tanya Thompson for the production and casting of The One Closest 2U, which received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the Philadelphia Independent Film Awards in 2017 and is now available for streaming on Tubi. In partnership with Dame Dash Studios, Mr. Coggins has several movies set for release.