LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles-based Fantastic Films International (FFI), headed by Roxane Barbat and Fred deWysocki, is proud to announce that a multi-picture worldwide distribution deal has been signed with family film maker Silver Hills Pictures (SHP), a New Albany, Indiana-based company founded by Tom Whitus.
"Matchmaker Mary" is SHP's first family feature film, starring Jeff Fahey and Dee Wallace. This film, written and directed by Whitus, was recently completed and is the first SHP film distributed by FFI, which picked up "Matchmaker Mary" for foreign distribution.
SHP is currently in pre-production on "Sam Steele and the Junior Detective Agency," starring Luke Perry ("Beverly Hills 90210", "The Fifth Element"), M. Emmet Walsh ("Blade Runner", "Snowdogs") and Jacob Hays ("Disney's Really Short Report", "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader"). This will be the first film that FFI will take out to all media and all markets worldwide. Also written and directed by Whitus, principal photography begins June 1, 2009 and the film will be ready for delivery in the fall.
The multi-picture deal also includes future SHP projects such as the family adventure "Puppy Patrol", the family medieval adventure, "The Double Life of Danny Dugan" and the western "Justice", which will all be created with the FFI vision in mind.
FFI is passionately committed to selecting and promoting only films that are a unique combination of great writing, directing, acting and editing to create a universal story. FFI president, Roxane Barbat states, "We are very pleased with this multi-picture worldwide distribution deal with Tom and Silver Hills Pictures. There is a great demand for family films. Tom's films will appeal to our buyers, as well as to well known actors who respond well to Tom's writing and want to act in his family films, which they will be proud to show their kids."
Founded in 2002, FFI is committed to finding and distributing quality, independent films internationally. The FFI brand ensures independent excellence to our international buyers. FFI develops or acquires a few select new films each year that are worthy of the "Fantastic" label.
SHP was founded in 2005 as a film production company committed to making high quality family-friendly films in the Midwest. SHP's first film, "Give and Take", was a short film made for the 168 Film Project in 2007. Written and directed by Whitus, that film went on to be nominated for Best Screenplay and won the Got Heart Award at the 2007 Sojourn Film Festival.
FFI will introduce "Matchmaker Mary" and "Sam Steele" to Cannes buyers at their Carlton Hotel, suite #134 location, U.S. cell +1-310-560-9577. For additional info, contact Fred deWysocki, co-founder of Fantastic Films International at 323-661-7188 or visit: www.fantasticfilmsinternational.com