Film Distribution & Finance: Ask Me Anything
Speakers:
Tom Malloy, COO, Studio Dome
Shaked Berenson, CEO, Studio Dome
Speakers
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Tom MalloyCOO, Studio DomeAward-winning actor, producer, writer, director, bestselling author, and entrepreneur Tom Malloy has built one of the most unique careers in independent film, successfully combining the creative and business sides of filmmaking for more than two decades.
As an actor, Malloy has starred in more than 30 feature films, working alongside Academy Award winners, television icons, and some of Hollywood’s most respected performers. His latest starring role is the comedy ORANGE JUSTICE, now available on VOD. Prior to that, he directed and starred opposite Briana Evigan in the romantic comedy ASK ME TO DANCE, which opened theatrically in 38 cities across the United States before earning an 88% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film marked his successful directorial debut and further cemented his reputation as a true multi-hyphenate.
His recent acting work also includes TRAUMA THERAPY: PSYCHOSIS, opposite Hannah New and Tom Sizemore in the legendary actor’s final film appearance, as well as the original TRAUMA THERAPY, starring Brian Krause and Chase Coleman. Horror fans also know Malloy from #SCREAMERS, the award-winning found-footage thriller that has twice been recognized among the best films ever made in the genre.
Earlier in his career, Malloy starred opposite Amy Smart, Billy Zane, Rachel Dratch, and Betty White in LOVE N’ DANCING, directed by Rob Iscove (She’s All That). He also appeared alongside Eliza Dushku, Cary Elwes, Timothy Hutton, Michael Ironside, and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo in THE ALPHABET KILLER; starred opposite Ray Wise in SHATTERED; appeared with Elisabeth Moss in Mary Lambert’s THE ATTIC; and earned three Best Actor awards for his performance in HERO OF THE UNDERWORLD.
While many know Malloy as an actor, he has quietly become one of the most accomplished producers working in independent film today. Throughout his career, he has raised more than $30 million in financing, produced over 30 feature films, and written and sold 25 screenplays. His producing credits include AFTER ALL, starring Erika Christensen, Penelope Ann Miller, David James Elliott, and Zach Gilford; MCVEIGH, starring Alfie Allen, Anthony Carrigan, and Brett Gelman, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival; LANSKY, starring Harvey Keitel, Sam Worthington, and Minka Kelly; DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL with Kristanna Loken and Martin Kove; along with ASK ME TO DANCE, LOVE N’ DANCING, THE ALPHABET KILLER, TRAUMA THERAPY, TRAUMA THERAPY: PSYCHOSIS, #SCREAMERS, and numerous other feature films.
In 2005, Malloy founded Trick Candle Productions, a company dedicated to producing commercially driven independent films across multiple genres. In 2016, he co-founded Glass House Distribution, helping build it into a respected worldwide sales and distribution company representing hundreds of independent films. Following Glass House’s acquisition by Studio Dome in 2026, Malloy became the company’s Chief Operating Officer, where he now oversees worldwide acquisitions, distribution strategy, and international sales.
Malloy’s influence extends well beyond the screen. His bestselling book, BANKROLL: A New Approach to Financing Feature Films, is widely considered one of the definitive books ever written on independent film financing and has helped thousands of filmmakers learn how to raise capital for their projects. He also co-founded FilmMakingStuffHQ, an educational platform dedicated to teaching filmmakers the practical business of financing, producing, marketing, and distributing feature films.
A graduate of Los Angeles’ renowned Improv Olympic (I.O.) Training Center, Malloy has also performed stand-up comedy at Caroline’s Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, the Funny Bone, and the Hollywood Improv.
Whether starring in front of the camera, producing films behind it, leading one of the industry’s fastest-growing distribution companies, or mentoring the next generation of filmmakers, Tom Malloy has built a career defined by versatility, entrepreneurship, and an unwavering commitment to independent cinema.
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Shaked BerensonCEO, Entertainment SquadShaked Berenson is the CEO of Entertainment Squad, a distribution company and foreign sales agency. He also oversees Studio Dome, a streaming technology and content operations company, and serves on the Board of Advisors of INCANTOR AI—an AI platform built by creatives to combat copyright abuse and ensure transparent royalty tracking.
Over the past 15 years, Shaked has financed, produced, and distributed hundreds of films, including cult favorites like Slaxx, Turbo Kid and Big Ass Spider!. A former IFTA Board member and UCLA Anderson MBA, he brings deep expertise in global sales, digital rights management, and innovation across the entertainment supply chain.