Welcome to the Crimson Cypress Films web site!

As French explorer Sieur d'Iberville sailed up the Mississippi River in 1699, he spotted a large pole high on a bluff which marked the boundary between Indian hunting grounds. Drenched in ceremonial animal blood, the pole was referred to by Iberville as "le baton rouge" (the red stick) - and the name stuck. When writer and producer Francine Russell - a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana - needed a name for her newly-formed production company, she reached back to her roots and tweaked "red stick" into "Crimson Cypress."

Headquartered in Burbank, California, Crimson Cypress Films is currently in preproduction on a documentary entitled "Fighting Fear."

Francine Russell and "Bayou Shower"-producing partner Amanda Nugent at the Telluride Film Festival.	Francine prepares to go hot air ballooning, an exclusive perk enjoyed by filmmakers at the Temecula Valley Film Festival.

About Francine Russell

In 2001, Francine combined her talents to write, co-produce and co-star in the short film "Bayou Shower" which was shot in Baton Rouge and is currently playing in film festivals. Along with Amanda Nugent, her producing partner on that project, Francine is marketing the concept of "Bayou Shower" as a television series.

In addition to her entertainment career, Francine is also a certified self defense instructor with IMPACT Personal Safety. She teaches the IMPACT course at Marlborough School for girls in Los Angeles - the first in the nation to offer a self defense course for credit - and also teaches an advanced course, Defense Against the Armed Assailant. In addition, Francine has trained in martial arts with the Jo (staff) and Bokken (wooden sword). Francine is co-author of The Safe Zone: A Kid's Guide to Personal Safety. Written for children ages 7-12, the book offers guidelines on how to handle situations when an adult guardian is not present.