Founded in May 2006, Film Market Access (FMA) is a film consulting firm specializing in Film Development, Financing and Publicity services to independent filmmakers. We introduce new trends, alternate business ideas, access to networking events and introduction to notable companies at film festivals and markets.

Kirk Cooper is the founder of Film Market Access. The idea for the company came to Kirk after giving advice to a few Canadian producers while attending Cannes as a film programmer. As a festival programmer working with young professional filmmakers, Kirk discovered that there is a lack of proper access and knowledge for most filmmakers attending Canadian and international festivals. He designed the FMA Program packages to incorporate knowledge of film commerce, great intuition and confident networking that are affordable for the young professional artist’s to increase their visibility.

Kirk has 10 + years of vast experience in the arts and entertainment industry, providing professional services in Communications, Marketing, Development and Project Management of special initiatives, industry events, film and television productions.

Since 2006, FMA has brought a diverse number of Canadian producers, directors and other arts related delegates to the Festival de Cannes as well as the world’s largest film market, the Marché du Film.  FMA is currently the only Canadian consulting firm assisting Canadian filmmakers at the Festival de Cannes.  In 2009, FMA introduced many new delegates from around the world (including England & United States) to the Toronto International Film Festival.

FMA strongly believes that the difference between a successful person and an unsuccessful person in the entertainment industry is not solely based on talent; it is ACCESS TO INFORMATION & ACCESS TO PEOPLE.

Success of the Program:

  •  Boye Fajinmi (Biola University, U.S.A) – Cannes and TIFF  internship with William Morris Endeavors 2010/2011. In July of 2011 he was hired by the WME in Los Angeles.
  • Jonathan Bunning (Norwich school Of Art & Design, England) – TIFF internship with Doe Eye Media 2010. Hired in 2011 by Doe Eye Media as a Social Media Strategist.
  • In 2010, writer/director Sugith Varughese expanded his network in Cannes and returned with any idea to produce his film Dany Boy. He is now discussing a deal with a Canadian distributor for Telefilm funding. www.indiegogo.com/Dany-Boy-the-film
  • In 2007, Producer Howard Green found financing in Cannes for his horror film Machete Joe – the film played the festival circuit and is presently sent to be released on DVD February 2012. www.tinyurl.com/7lazby8   

Film Market Access has assisted the following in Cannes…

  1. Howard Green – Producer
  2. Suya Lee – Producer
  3. Faithlyn Hemmings – Entertainment Lawyer
  4. Nilesh Patel – Director/Producer
  5. Juliette Hagopian – Producer
  6. Christina Piovesan – Producer
  7. Sylvain Bellemare – Sound Engineer
  8. Yen-Shou Chen – Producer
  9. Ray Chan – Producer
  10. Selvaggia Velo – Programmer
  11. Anjali Bhushan – Producer
  12. Vibhu Anand – Producer (Son of director Vijay Anand)
  13. Arati Raval – Manager, festivals
  14. Marcel Jones – Actor
  15. Louisa Lo – Writer
  16. Orla La Garriques – Producer
  17. Derek Luis – Producer

And in Toronto…

  1. Boye Fajinmi
  2. Jesse Maiman
  3. Julian Robertson
  4. Evan Farquhar
  5. Sindy Granberg
  6. Jeff Barnhart
  7. Leanne Schinkel
  8. Nil Sorensen
  9. Jonathan Bunning
  10. Sharika Bivens
  11. Rachel Albergo
  12. Joseph Babarsky
  13. Nano Debassige – Editor (Network Connection Program)
  14. Tetchena Bellange – Actress/Director/Producer (Network Connection Program)
  15. Joel LaFlamme – Director (Network Connection Program)