HELLO, AND WELCOME TO SUMMER HILL ENTERTAINMENT
We are a U.S. film distributor and a worldwide sales company.
Our mission is twofold. First, we are a home to independent filmmakers who have done the impossible, created a quality film ready for distribution. Through our 25 years of experience, our contacts, our customer service and our accessibility & transparency, we will take your film to the next level and beyond. We are not just a distributor, but a strategic partner who will work with you to achieve your goals.
Second, we are a reliable source of high quality films for our international buyers. With our worldwide relationships and successful track record in the international licensing business, our team supplies our buyers with great films for their channels and labels meeting their volume, timeframe and financial requirements. Additionally, we know how to deliver the goods. Today’s international deliverable requirements are more complicated than ever. Our knowledge and experience in the delivery process ensures successful and complete product delivery meeting each of our clients’ unique specifications.
THE COMPANY
In December of 2007, Summer Hill Films LLC was formed as the parent company of TomCat Films LLC. The purpose was the financing of independent film productions. Under these companies 4 films were produced over the next year, STAR QUEST, METAL MAN, GET THE GIRL, DON’T LOOK IN THE CELLAR and THE BLACK KNIGHT RETURNS. These films launched the company into the world of mockbusters and drafting titles. These films were distributed through the principal’s preexisting relationships in film distribution and sold on a worldwide basis. The films aired on Netflix and were sold on Amazon among other platforms and retailers.
In 2011, the company produced BLOODY MARY 3D. One of the few true 3D productions ever. The film was acquired by Phase 4 (now E1 Entertainment). With the success of its previous films, the company formed its own sales and distribution company, under the name TomCat Films, to sell BLOODY MARY and a slate of similar action, sci-fi and mockbuster films, including, CAPTAIN BATTLE and ALIENS VS. AVATARS. Within days of announcing, it closed its first package of films to MohrFilms in Germany.
TomCat Films became a leader in offering genre content to the world market. It also went on to produce its own content and acquire third party produced films. Major successes included JURASSIC SHARK, ISIS RISING: CURSE OF THE LADY MUMMY and PERFECT: ANDROID RISING.
As the DVD market started to diminish, our company increased its focus on television sales and VOD opportunities. We also increased our library of festival and award winning films in mainstream genres such as drama, romantic-comedy and arthouse. In 2014, we launched Summer Hill Films as its own label to release these films worldwide and theatrically in the U.S. The label was launched with the critically acclaimed romantic comedy, LEADING LADY, starring international super star Katie McGrath (“Merlin”, “Slasher”, “Jurassic World”, and “Supergirl”). The film was released theatrically in June 2015 and has sold all over the world
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Summer Hill Films continues to acquire and provide quality theatrical level films for the worldwide market.
In 2016, the focus on TV and VOD worldwide has brought about the integration of TomCat Films into Summer Hill Films as a sub-label. Both brands are used for DVD and VOD in the U.S. Internationally, the company is known simply as Summer Hill Films.
Summer Hill Films maintains a strong annual presence at all major film markets to include the American Film Market, European Film Market in Berlin and the Cannes Film Festival. The company now distributes over 100 feature films annually with distribution pipelines in place worldwide. Many of our films can be seen on Netflix, InDemand, Family Video, Best Buy, Amazon and other establishments in the U.S./Canada and around the world.
PRINCIPLE
The company is headed by sales and distribution veteran Ted Chalmers. He has been involved with the sales and distribution of such well-known films as THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION, HELLRAISER, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, ONE FALSE MOVE, RE-ANIMATOR, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR, SOCIETY and EVIL DEAD 2.
After graduating from the USC Film School, Ted began his career in 1990 working at TransAtlantic Entertainment. After its sale to Lakeshore, he went on to lead the sales team at Creative Light Entertainment and Moving Pictures Film and Television. He was also Senior Vice President of Media Brokerage for ICAP Media, a division of ICAP Plc.
Ted has overseen the theatrical releases of HENRY’S CRIME (Keanu Reeves and James Caan), SWINGING WITH THE FINKELS (Martin Freeman and Mandy Moore), and SPOONER (Matthew Lillard and Christopher MacDonald). Other films include SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER (Whoopee Goldberg, Estella Warren), MAYOR CUPCAKE (Judd Nelson and Lea Thompson), and LOST CITY RAIDERS (Ian Somerhalder).
As the recognized leader in film distribution to foreign markets, Ted successfully distributes feature, indie and made for DVD films throughout the world. His brand is globally recognized allowing new, independent and seasoned filmmakers to access the world audience. The key to Ted’s success is leveraging his long-term relationships with distributors in foreign countries and effectively structuring distribution solutions, and therefore, creating healthy revenue streams for his clients.
“At Summer Hill Films, we believe in quality films that are entertaining and cool. The global film audience requires a constant flow of new entertainment. This ever growing market is our niche, and we need both filmmakers and distributors to provide the entertainment that enhances our audiences’ lives. We invite you to partner with us for global entertainment and distribution.“
-Ted Chalmers, President