Slater Brothers Entertainment is breaking into the distribution business with indie comedy "My Uncle Rafael" early next year. The company, producer on "House of Dust" and upcoming Elvis Presley biopic "Fame and Fortune," will focus on providing platform releases and targeted marketing campaigns amid the fast-changing distribution landscape. Slater Brothers closed a deal for a North American theatrical release and worldwide representation of "Rafael," touted as the first U.S. laffer with an Armenian lead character. Pic, penned by Scott Yagemann and Vahik Pirhamzei, follows an old Armenian uncle who's cast in a reality show and has one week to save a dysfunctional American family from breaking up. Directed and edited by filmmaker and former Spielberg assistant Marc Fusco, pic stars Missi Pyle, John Michael Higgins, Anthony Clark, Joe Lo Truglio, Rachel Blanchard and Pirhamzei as the title character. "Rafael" had its North American premiere at the Arpa Film Festival at the Egyptian a week ago. Veteran film exec Todd Slater was exec VP of marketing and distribution at Anschutz Entertainment, where he oversaw campaigns on "Ray," "Swimming Upstream" and "Sahara."

Exclusive: Inbar Levi ("Underemployed"), Holland Roden ("Teen Wolf"), Steven Grayhm and Eddie Hassell are toplining indie thriller "House of Dust," produced by Slater Brothers Entertainment and Goodnight Films in conjunction with Budderfly Entertainment. Todd Slater of Slater Brothers and A.D. Calvo of Goodnight Films are producing with shooting starting Monday in at The University of Connecticut and other locations around the state. Grahyam starred in "The First Ride of Wyatt Earp" and Hassell in "The Kids Are All Right." Other cast include Stephen Spinella ("Angels In America"), Nicole Travolta ("The Middle"), Joy Lauren ("Desperate Housewives"), John Lee Ames ("Days Of Darkness") and Alesandra Assante ("Looking For An Echo"). "House of Dust" will be directed by Calvo, who worked with Slater and Budderfly Entertainment on "The Other Side of the Tracks." Slater Brothers and Goodnight Films have partnered with Budderfly Entertainment to finance and produce a slate of thriller genre films and plan to move into their next film in early 2012. Slater has held exec posts at Anschutz Film Co., where he worked on "Ray" and "Sahara," along with Huntsman Entertainment and Paramount. Contact Dave McNary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hamilton, NY -- Todd, Wade and Grant Slater organized the first Hamilton International Film Festival as a way to give back to the community where they grew up. But now in its third year, the festival has grown into a “prime networking spot” for filmmakers, with producers, directors and actors flying in from across the world to visit the small college town in southern Madison County. The Hamilton Theater rolled out the red carpet Thursday night for the first screenings, which included “Soul Surfer,” the film based on the life of Bethany Hamilton, the teen surfer who overcame the trauma of losing her arm to a shark in 2003 in Hawaii, and short films “Mr. Stache” and “Perfect Gift.” The audience included Liverpool native Dominic Ianno, who produced “Soul Surfer,” and Jac Schaeffer, director of “Mr. Stache.” More film industry movers and shakers are expected throughout the four-day event, which donates a portion of its proceeds to local organizations, including Hamilton Central School. In designing the event, the Slater brothers mix their nostalgia for Hamilton with their passion for filmmaking. The trio spent their formative years in Hamilton where their father, Terry, was the head hockey coach at Colgate University…

Slater Brothers Entertainment’s Hamilton International Film Festival (HIFF), is returning for a 3rd year with an impressive all star line up of films, charity themed events and parties. The festival was founded by brothers Wade, Grant and Todd Slater, whose father, Terry Slater, was the head hockey coach at Colgate University for 15 years. The Festival is set to take place August 4th – 7th, 2011. The brother’s efforts to bring back top international films, award winning directors, and academy nominated actors is based on their  desire to expand the arts and film awareness in Central New York. This year’s festival also has screenings dedicated to organizations and charities close to the brother’s hearts, including Thursday night, August 4th screening at the Hamilton Movie Theater where 100% of proceeds will be dedicated by SBE to Hamilton Central School. Through the Film Festival, the Slater brothers aim to bring a piece of Hollywood back to the area they proudly grew up in and provide a platform to recognize local area talent and advance the careers of aspiring filmmakers. Supported by the town of Hamilton, NY and Colgate University, this year’s festival will have some of the biggest filmmakers and entertainment companies…

Had they been in the audience at the Colgate Inn today, Moms and Dads who have children itching to be the new Quentin Tarantino would have heard the good news: Instead of giving your child $45,000 a year to attend film school, give them $20,000 and tell them to go make a movie. And. the folks who said that ought to know. This panel of eight professionals from a variety of backgrounds speaking as part of the Hamilton International Film Festival delivered advice as sobering as it was practical. To a person, they said there is no substitute for doing the actual work of film-making to learn the craft, and they also warned that may mean doing the work for free. The panel -- The Business of Hollywood -- was moderated by festival organizers Grant and Todd Slater included: Dina Rosenmeier, director and producer of A Journey in My Mother's Footsteps; Cas Donovan, assistant director and producer; Matt Malloy, actor and HCS grad; Benjamin Busch, Hamilton area native, actor and director of Bright; Reza Dahya, producer and director of Esha; Richard Hanet, executive producer of Score!: A Hockey Musical; Angela Cheng, a publicist; and Nicholas Tabarrok, producer of A Beginner's…