In true Hollywood style, more than 200 community members walked down the red carpet and into the Hamilton Movie Theater as well as other venues throughout the village this weekend for the inaugural Hamilton Film Festival and Awareness Walk.
Along with a line-up of first-rate independent films, the two-day festival featured a 2K-charity walk that raised several hundred dollars to benefit the Hamilton Food Cupboard.
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| Grant Slater '91 (left) and his brother Todd stand in front of the Hamilton Movie Theater prior to the start of the two-day festival. (Photo by Heather Ainsworth) |
Grant Slater '91 and his brothers, Wade and Todd, organized the festival. They are the sons of the late Colgate men's hockey coach Terry Slater, and founders of Slater Brothers Entertainment.
The trio decided to hold the festival as a means of giving back to their former community.
"I grew up watching movies at the Hamilton Movie Theater and have fond memories of my time in the area," said Grant. "So, to see how many people turned out for the community gathering was amazing."
Out of the 100 films submitted, the brothers selected five, each with fitting themes for the first-ever Hamilton Film Festival and Awareness Walk: community, friendship, and family.
"I hope the messages in the films resonate with those who watched them, reminding them of the small-town spirit and charm that makes the Colgate and Hamilton communities so special."
A special screening of Class C, a documentary chronicling five basketball teams from Montana's smallest schools on their journey to win a championship, was held Saturday night at Hamilton Central School. Proceeds from that film's ticket sales went to the school's athletics department.
Prior to the screening of Class C, the Slater brothers announced plans to make the festival an annual event.