"As the director, producer, writer, and editor of CIRILO, A Legacy Untold, I set out to share the remarkable life of Cirilo McSween, a Panamanian trailblazer, athlete, diplomat, and businessman whose journey connects the Americas. The film is a tribute to perseverance and purpose, exploring how one man’s work helped shape both history and opportunity. Every frame was created with intention, striking a balance between emotional truth and historical accuracy to honor a legacy that deserves recognition."
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JUSTIN O. COOPER
Director/Producer
CIRILO, A Legacy Untold
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Justin O. Cooper is the visionary behind JOCMedia + Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based creative services agency and production company with a global focus. As a multi-hyphenate producer, writer, editor, and emerging director, he brings his journalistic roots and passion for human-interest stories to diverse audiovisual projects, spanning development, production, post-production, and distribution.
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Cooper's strategic contributions include marketing international locations to Hollywood, most notably as a consultant to The Royal Film Commission - Jordan, with experience facilitating and supporting high-profile international productions for Disney, Universal Pictures, to Paramount+. Additionally, his diverse talents extend into music entertainment, as he's the recipient of an ASCAP Plus Award for his collaborations with Grammy-winning artists Tom Scott and Ann Nesby
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The winner of the Best Documentary Short for CIRILO, A Legacy Untold at the 2025 San Antonio Black International Film Festival, Cooper graduated with honors from Benedict College and UCLA Extension with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and Certifications in Film & TV Development Certification and Film Editing. He is a member of Film Independent, the International Documentary Association, and is listed on the IATSE MPEG Local 700 Industry Experience Roster as an Assistant Editor. Cooper is also a member of the Sons of Legion, American Legion Hollywood Post 43.