Anchor Bay Entertainment Buys Global Rights to Sci-Fi Film ‘Daddy’ (EXCLUSIVE):

Anchor Bay Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to “Daddy,” a sci-fi film that will be released in 2024.

The news comes as Anchor Bay is being relaunched after Umbrelic Entertainment chiefs Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz bought the company’s trademark. Anchor Bay was included in Starz’s 2016 sale to Lionsgate. Under Zambeck and Katz, Anchor Bay is looking to release genre films and cult favorites.

In the case of “Daddy,” the movie was co-written and co-directed by Neal Kelley and Jono Sherman in their feature debut. It stars Yuriy Sardarov (“Chicago Fire”), Jacqueline Toboni (“The L Word: Generation Q”), Pomme Koch (“WeCrashed“) and Britt Baron (“GLOW”).

The film is set in a dystopian society where the state has the power to determine who can and cannot  father children. Four men attend a government-mandated retreat in the remote mountains of California. When they arrive, there’s no guide or instructions waiting for them. So left to their own devices, they must prove to themselves that they have what it takes to become fathers.

“Daddy” has been an official selection at numerous film festivals including Dances With Films, the Oxford Film Festival and the Rhode Island Film Festival. It won best film at the 2023 Ridgefield Independent Film Festival and was a marquee film at the 2023 Cinequest Film Festival. 

“’Daddy’ had been on our radar since its festival run,” says Zambeck. “It fits in line with our vision for Anchor Bay, and redefines preconceived notions of both science fiction and comedy. We’re thrilled to share this brilliant, poignant film with audiences around the world.”

The movie was produced by Sophia Kalin, Albee Zhang along with Kelley and Sherman under their Twnshp Pictures banner. It was executive produced by Nate Nemon.

Zambeck and Katz of Anchor Bay Entertainment negotiated the deal with Sean Pope, partner at Ramo Law PC on behalf of the filmmakers.

View this article at Variety.