Led by industry veterans Amanda Sherwin, Mike Messina and Seth Needle, Blue Harbor Entertainment offers filmmakers a much-needed alternative in today’s challenging distribution environment. We provide a comprehensive distribution and marketing solution covering theatrical releases, home entertainment, digital streaming platforms, and television – all under a service fee structure that empowers filmmakers. Our experienced team meticulously crafts each release plan and budget to align with a client’s objectives. This approach not only ensures transparent collaboration but also positions filmmakers to capture the economic upside of their projects.
In an industry marked by consolidation, filmmakers often encounter limited economic options and difficult choices when dealing with traditional distributors. With producer-friendly deal terms and a dedicated team of experts guiding each release, Blue Harbor simplifies taking charge of your movie’s journey, allowing you to avoid the murky waters of self-distribution. Whether you are in the packaging stage, have a completed picture, or find yourself somewhere in between, the experienced team at Blue Harbor can help you chart a successful distribution path for your movie.
The Team
Amanda Sherwin
Amanda has more than two decades of experience working in independent film. She most recently served as SVP of Marketing at Screen Media running the campaigns for 20+ releases annually, including the high-profile hits Willy’s Wonderland, Poker Face, and Maggie Moore(s). Prior to Screen Media, Sherwin consulted for PBS Distribution and managed theatrical service provider Paladin, overseeing the releases on an array of films from the comedic hit What We Do in the Shadows to the Oscar® nominated documentary For Sama. Sherwin began her career at CFP, a precursor to Lionsgate, where she later assumed the role of VP of Marketing. She then went on to help start THINKFilm, where she served as SVP of Marketing and Distribution and orchestrated the campaigns on more than 80 films, resulting in eight Academy Award® nominations and two wins. Sherwin is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Mike Messina
Mike has worked in independent film for more than 25 years. In his recent role as EVP of Distribution at Screen Media, he oversaw the distribution, marketing, and sales of 100+ movies, including the blockbuster hits The Outpost, Till Death, and The Ritual Killer, and was an Executive Producer on the Emmy® award-winning documentary Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street. Previously, Messina spearheaded independent film distribution and acquisitions at Starz and managed global streaming sales of Starz Original Series, including Spartacus and Power. He was also a senior executive at New Amsterdam Entertainment, where his producing credits included Dawn of the Dead which opened #1 at the US box office and was a Cannes Film Festival selection. Messina holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and is a Dartmouth College graduate.
Seth Needle
Seth Needle is a leading content acquisition and creative executive, having previously served as EVP of Global Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Screen Media for the past 12 years. During his tenure, he was responsible for high-profile acquisitions The Outpost, Terry Gilliam's The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Emmy® award-winning Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street, The Lifeguard starring Kristen Bell, and Stephen King's A Good Marriage, which King penned himself. He also established strategic business relationships with Focus Features, Starz, Roadside Attractions, and more. In addition, Needle oversaw all content licensing for the company’s streaming platforms that included Crackle, Popcornflix, and Redbox. Needle also served as an executive producer on Willy's Wonderland, Maggie Moore(s), Fast Charlie, Girl, and several others. Prior to Screen Media, Needle worked in the acquisitions department at Lionsgate and in the research department at Marketcast.
