here! Films/Regent Acquire 'Breakfast With Scot'

here! Films, the theatrical distribution and worldwide sales division of here! Networks, is pleased to announce that it has acquired North American distribution rights to "Breakfast With Scot," a family comedy from director Laurie Lynd.  The film is the Opening Night selection of Outfest 2008: The 26th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and will be released in select theaters this Fall by sister company Regent Releasing.

"We are very pleased to bring Laurie Lynd's accomplished feature to theaters this Fall," said Mark Reinhart, West Coast General Manager and EVP, Distribution and Acquisitions, Regent.  "In the vein of 'About a Boy' and 'The Parent Trap', this hilarious family comedy not only entertains but makes an important contribution to popular American culture by showing gay parenthood as a healthy and natural extension of the modern family."

Adapted from the novel by Michael Downing, "Breakfast with Scot" is a touching comedy that tells the story of a very 'straight' gay couple, Eric (Tom Cavanagh), an ex-NHL hockey player-turned-sportscaster and Sam (Ben Shenkman), a lawyer, who end up with temporary custody of recently orphaned Scot, (Noah Bernett), a budding queen of an 11 year old.

Tom Cavanagh stars as Eric, a handsome ex-hockey player turned sportscaster, who is living the perfect gay life at home with his lawyer boyfriend.  However, their closely-closeted paradise is threatened when they receive news that Sam's brother Billy's (Colin Cunningham) ex-girlfriend has died, leaving custody of her son Scot (Noah Bernett) to Billy.  Ed never wanted kids, and certainly never expected one like this. When 11 year-old Scot arrives and they open his duffle bag, they find a pink musical hairbrush, a pink poodle belt and white sock-ettes with lacy fringe at the top. Scot throws Ed and Sam's life into complete disarray, but they soon find that they can't bear to part with him. "Breakfast With Scot" contrasts the realities of family life against its funniest stereotypes and uncovers how it feels to be a boy who doesn't quite fit into the role society has prepared for him.

Officially sanctioned by the NHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs, "Breakfast with Scot" represents the first time a professional sports league has allowed their logo and uniforms to be used in a gay-themed movie. During production, in an interview with the Toronto Star, Tom Cavanagh said: "You have to give full credit to the NHL and the Leafs for signing on."

In a recent New York Times interview, Bernadette Mansur, executive director for the NHL Foundation said, "From our standpoint, this is about a modern family helping to raise a young boy."

"Breakfast with Scot" is the second feature for director Laurie Lynd, whose 3 short films, "Together and Apart," "RSVP," Genie-winner "The Fairy Who Didn't Want to be a Fairy Anymore" and first feature, "House," all played at TIFF and SUNDANCE. Lynd has also had two television films open the Sprockets International Children's Film Festival -- "Virtual Mom," and the BBC mini-series "I Was a Rat," which won the YTV Silver Sprocket audience award as well as Best Children's Program at the 2002 Banff International Television Festival.

"Breakfast with Scot" is the fifth film that producer Paul Brown ("I Love a Man in Uniform," "The Assistant," "Soul Survivor," "Virtual Mom," "Zeyda and the Hitman") and director Laurie Lynd have collaborated on, beginning with their award-winning short film, "RSVP", in 1991.  "Breakfast with Scot" also stars Graham Greene, Megan Follows, Fiona Reid, Colin Cunningham, Sheila McCarthy, Anna Silk, Benz Antoine, Shauna MacDonald, Robin Brule, Kathryn Haggis, Travis Ferris and Jeananne Goossen.

"We are totally thrilled that Michael Downing's fantastic novel will reach broad audiences," said producer Paul Brown.  "With the support of the NHL, a breakthrough script and a fantastic cast, we know that Regent is the ideal company to distribute our film."

The film was produced by Paul Brown and executive produced by Nadine Schiff. Mark Reinhart, West Coast General Manager and Executive Vice President of Distribution and Acquisitions for here! Films negotiated the deal with Miracle Pictures' Paul Brown. Regent Releasing will handle the film's theatrical release during the Fall of 2008.

 For more information, please visit http://www.breakfastwithscotmovie.com/.

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