The Slater Brothers’ Hamilton International Festival is entering its third year and it is proving to be much more than just another Film Festival. Originally, the brothers established the Festival to give back to small central New York Community they grew-up in. But the festival seems to be turning into a prime networking spot for filmmakers from across the continent and that is fine with Todd and Grant Slater. “One of the things we both wanted was a Festival that would bring the film makers in close contact with the community and each other. The size of Hamilton and how we present the four day event, really forces film makers to interact with each other and the community in general.” states, Grant Slater. “Hamilton is a great place. Once you are in town, you can walk everywhere and we really encourage the filmmakers to participate in all our functions and enjoy their time in the village. Because it is so easy to get around, we have found that the film makers have really been supportive of each other and the festival in general”, adds Todd Slater. The result is that many of the Film Makers have developed friendships with the Brothers and collaborated on projects long after the Festival has ended.
Since the Slater Brothers’ inaugural Hamilton International Film Festival first launched three years ago, several entertainment projects have developed as a direct result of the event. The Brothers are currently working on a Documentary film titled, The General. The film is based on the 1990 Colgate University Men’s Ice Hockey Team that reached the NCAA National Championship Game despite having no scholarships. Documentary film maker Kenny MacBain, a participate in last year’s Festival, will be directing.
Since the Slater Brothers’ inaugural Hamilton International Film Festival first launched three years ago, several entertainment projects have developed as a direct result of the event. The Brothers are currently working on a Documentary film titled, The General. The film is based on the 1990 Colgate University Men’s Ice Hockey Team that reached the NCAA National Championship Game despite having no scholarships. Documentary film maker Kenny MacBain, a participate in last year’s Festival, will be directing.
The connections have not stopped there. Todd Slater is headed to Connecticut to immediately following this year’s Festival to work with director Alex Calvo on Slater Brother Entertainment’s next film, HOUSE OF DUST. Calvo was a participant in Festival’s inaugural year. “House of Dust” is a thriller genre film has attracted an incredible cast of some of today’s brightest young stars, including Steven Grahyam (“The First Ride of Wyatt Earp”) Two time Tony Winner Stephen Spinella (“Angels In America”) Holland Roden (star of MTV’s hit show “Teen Wolf”) Inbar Levi (MTV’s highly anticipated new series “Underemployed”) Nicole Travolta (“The Middle”) Joy Lauren (“Desperate Housewives”) Eddie Hassell (“The Kids Are All Right”) John Lee Ames (“Days Of Darkness”) and Alesandra Assante (“Looking For An Echo”.)
The relationships between the filmmakers has also developed do to the brother’s yearly festival. Alec Asten, a participate in last year’s festival is working with Alex Calvo on the slate of genre films that Calvo and Slater Brother intend to produce over the next three years. Asten, an accomplished film maker in his own right, premiered his short film, The Curse of Micah Rood, at last year’s HIFF.
It may not be Sundance yet, but the Slater Brothers’ International Film Festival, in the small upstate village of Hamilton, New York is beginning to gain get the attention of incredibly talented filmmakers from around the world for its ability to foster friendships and nurture future projects. Due to the event growing as one of New England’s premiere summer destinations, several films have also gone on to receive world wide distribution as a direct result of appearing at the Slater’s International Film Festival. The Other Side of The Tracks, appearing at the inaugural HIFF, has gone on to be internationally release by FOX studios, and is currently playing on Showtime. Last years documentary favorite, Race to Nowhere, has been theatrically released across the United States and playing to sold out audiences.
Todd Slater stated “our goal is to help put rising directors and producers on the national stage with their films and upcoming projects. Our company has a long relationship with most of the studios and foreign sales companies in Hollywood and New York. By allowing the filmmakers a venue to showcase their projects, we can in turn let the rest of the world know about how great they are.”
The brothers acknowledged they could not produce the event if it wasn’t for their incredible sponsors and local support. Purina’s Fancy Feast, Nestle, The Colgate Inn, Anheuser Busch, Veev Spirits, Chobani, The Wendt Inn, NBT Bank, Oneida Saving Bank and many others have stepped up to support the arts and what we are doing stated Slater. The Slater Brothers wanted to add a special thanks to Chuck Fox of the Hamilton Theater. “Chuck has become like a fourth Slater brother to us all. In all honesty, his tireless work helping to promote this event and deal with the finest details has made it possible for us to put this on every year. His team at the theater along with several other key people in Hamilton and Colgate make it a special for us to keep doing this year after year. We really appreciate his and everyone else help that make the film festival happen.”
For ticket information and other details for this year’s HIFF, happening August 4th-7th, 2011, visit www.hamiltontheater.net. Festival Films will run throughout the week and a full schedule is available at http://www.facebook.com/HamiltonInternationalFilmFestival.
The Slater Brothers launched their branded entertainment and consulting company, Slater Brothers Entertainment (SBE), as a follow-up to several sports and entertainment events they co-produced and finance in the United States and Europe. They are also currently involved in the production of several films and charity events.
Grant Slater, a successful entrepreneur and former senior advisor to the Legendary Sports Entrepreneur Dennis Arthur Murphy, has worked at nearly every level of the sports industry and continues to consult on a variety of sports and entertainment ventures. His long relationships with corporate partners, has given The Festival an opportunity to see considerable growth in 2011.
Wade Slater is currently an art professor at the Tampa Art Institute and renowned Florida artist who routinely shows his work across Florida. He has a close working relationship with the Tampa Bay Museum of Art and has lectured at many cultural events throughout the state.
Todd Slater, who was the former Executive Vice President at Philip Anschutz's film company (Anschutz Film Group) and Paramount Pictures, is currently producing several films in Hollywood via his Slater Brother’s banner, including this summer’s production of House Of Dust to be directed by Alex Calvo.
For more information on the festival and tickets visit www.slaterbrothersentertainment.com or www.hamiltontheater.net
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