MSNBC, Submarine dive for docs

Duo team on feature documentary venture

By WILLIAM TRIPLETT

'Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father' will be the first release from MSNBC Films.

MSNBC has launched a feature docu imprint, MSNBC Films, which the cabler said will provide a showcase for docus and offer support to selected films during their festival runs and theatrical release.

First up is "Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father," from helmer Kurt Kuenne. Docu preemed at the Slamdance Film Festival in January and has also screened at the Hot Docs and SilverDocs fests. It is repped by Submarine Entertainment, which is negotiating a theatrical release. "Zachary" will air on MSNBC after its run in theaters.

MSNBC Films will license but not distribute any films. Depending on the project, however, the cabler may also be involved in production, said MSNBC spokeswoman Alison Bale.

MSNBC is currently looking to acquire and air more than three films per year. Viewers can expect docus of high quality across a broad range of subjects, Bale added.

"MSNBC Films is another way for NBC News to partner with great independent filmmakers, who bring different takes on the world," said Michael Rubin, the cabler's VP for longform programming.

Sales agent Submarine, headed by Josh Braun, has repped such successful docus as "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," "My Kid Could Paint That," "Spellbound" and "Super Size Me."