Roadside Attractions Acquires ‘Hello, My Name is Doris’

After a robust world premiere at the recently concluded SXSW Film Festival, Roadside Attractions has stepped up and acquired domestic distribution rights for the dramedy Hello, My Name is Doris starring Sally Field, per Variety. Roadside acquired the film for $1.75 million – the biggest deal to emerge from the festival – after considerable interest in the title (The Orchard, Starz, and IFC Films all expressed interest in the film). The movie is slated for release in the U.S. some time in 2016.

Field, two-time Oscar winner and recent nominee for her acclaimed work in the 2012 bio Lincoln, stars as Doris Miller, an aging hoarder who falls for a much younger man (played by New Girl‘s Max Greenfield). Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer) directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Laura Terruso. Beth Behrs (2 Broke Girls), Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids), Stephen Root (Office Space), and Natasha Lyone (Netflix’s Orange is the New Black) co-star. The film earned warm notices at SXSW (including here), won the Audience Award in the Headliners sidebar of the festival, and even prompted awards buzz for Field’s performance.

If early press is any indication, Roadside may have a potential hit on its hands, particularly considering the older demographic can be a profitable specialized market – considering recent films like Woman in Gold and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which have had sustained theatrical runs appealing to older moviegoers. This is particularly of note considering Hello, My Name is Doris made waves at SXSW, a festival that historically offers mostly comedies and genre titles that appeal to younger film fans. With Showalter’s cult comedy credits (Wet Hot American Summer, They Came Together), Hello, My Name is Doris may even extend its overall audience potential.