A happy family moment

Netflix is getting ready to distribute a new film called Sherrybaby…and not by mail. Daily Variety reports the company has made a distribution deal with the producers of the Maggie Gyllenhaal picture to distribute it theatrically, as well as in home video, and it's partnering with IFC to get the movie into the theatres. Netflix is making a more aggressive move into theatrical distribution after hiring Bahman Naragi, formerly of Miramax and Intermedia, to handle that part of the business. Netflix is not looking for boffo box office with Sherrybaby. Instead, it considers the theatrical push as a "promotional platform that will put the film on critics maps and create awareness," according to Naragi. The film ran at Sundance. The drama, about a recently released convict, was written and directed by Laurie Collyer. [FilmStew]