Sunday, December 20, 2015

Summer Hill Films gets pregnant with Titus Heckel's Widowed Father-Infant comedy WITH CHILD

Summer Hill Films, a U.S. theatrical distributor and worldwide sales company wholly owned by TomCat Films LLC, with international and domestic appeal, is pleased to announce it has acquired All Rights Worldwide to the critically acclaimed feature film WITH CHILD.

The Canadian produced film was written and directed by Titus Heckel and marks his feature film debut. The film stars Kerry van der Griend, best known for playing the memorable Neanderthal #1 in the three “Night at the Museum” films. He essays the lead role of construction worker Auden Price, who's facing innumerable difficulties raising his daughter, Riley, while also trying make a living. In the film's early moments, he convinces his boss to allow him to bring his tyke to the construction site where he works, explaining, "She doesn't have my experience, but she'll be a real morale builder."

Leslie Lewis co-stars as Petra, a prickly university professor who doesn't mind the child's presence — even if she's less than impressed by Auden's parenting skills. That doesn't stop her from initiating an awkward romance with her stone-faced employee who's still struggling with grief over his late wife. Lewis is best known for creating the one-woman show “Miracle in Rwanda” which she has performed on every continent except Antarctica to over 10,000 theatergoers.

The film also marks the producing debut for Lewis, who previously served as Executive Producer on “Dead Broke” for Warner Bros. Lewis is no stranger to the spotlight as her father, Reginald Lewis, acquired Beatrice in 1987, creating the largest African American-owned company in the United States at that time. It became the first black-owned company to have more than $1 billion in annual sales. Lewis’mother, Loida Nicolas Lewis, assumed leadership as Chair and CEO of TLC Beatrice International after his death, growing it into a $2 billion multinational food company with operations all across Europe. Both her parents are noted philanthropists.

“It is with great pride that I expand my family’s legacy into the creative medium of film,” said Ms. Lewis. "Impacting our culture by telling powerful stories in the arts resonates with my family’s groundbreaking achievements in the world of business. I’m honored to be bringing With Child’s message of how what we do now affects our past to a wider audience.”

TomCat/Summer Hill’s CEO, Ted Chalmers negotiated the deal with Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Producers Reps, and is thrilled with the acquisition. “We are delighted to have WITH CHILD as our next theatrical release. Not since “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” has there been such a moving and entertaining film covering single fatherhood, to my recollection,” says  Chalmers, “We hope to be working with Leslie and her team on such meaningful projects for years to come.”

ABOUT SUMMER HILL FILMS, LLC

Summer Hill Films is a U.S. theatrical distributor and worldwide sales company with international and domestic appeal. The company was founded by TedChalmers who worked previously at Moving Pictures Film and TV, which became ICAP Media.  The new label will provide a full range of services relating to the sales, marketing, licensing and distribution of mainstream feature films, television and special interest content across all media in the worldwide market.

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