On June 20, 2001, principal photography began on the first independent film to be shot in Toledo, Ohio using the latest in high definition video technology.

Twenty-five shooting days later, In The Company Of Strangers had wrapped. The low budget project then went into post-production mode. In September of 2002, In the Company of Strangers was screened at the the Telluride IndieFest to a crowd of approximately 100 viewers. It was well received at this festival. In 2003 ITCOS played at the Telluride sister festival, Key West IndieFest, where again, it was well received. At both festivals it received a Feature Film Winner award.

ITCOS then traveled to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York City as part of the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. On the first leg of the tri-city festival, ITCOS was awarded the Best Dramatic Feature Film award.

All through this process, Toledo filmmaker Tom Hofbauer continued to tweak and cut and polish the film. In 2005, ITCOS was awarded the Director's Choice - Gold Medal for Excellence at the Park City Film Music Festival.

This website is a tour behind the scenes of this ambitious and artistically fulfilling project. It is hosted by director Tom Hofbauer.

The next step for In The Company Of Strangers is an entry in the new reality series being developed by Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) and Steven Spielberg. Hofbauer also plans to shop the film again in Los Angeles later this summer while attending a Pitch Fest put on by Fade In Magazine.

For more information about In The Company Of Strangers or to request a promotional trailer, press kit, or copy of the movie, call 419.691.3946 or send an email to Tom@ThomasHofbauer.com.