ATO Pictures swoops on US rights for comedy Terri

Azazel Jacobs is directing the story of a socially awkward and overweight teenage boy who is befriended by his well-meaning high school vice-principal with issues of his own. Shooting wrapped one month ago outside Los Angeles.

Patrick deWitt wrote the screenplay and the cast includes Creed Bratton, Olivia Crocicchia, Bridger Zadina and Tim Heidecker. ATO has scheduled a second quarter 2011 release.

Alison Dickey, Lynette Howell, Alex Orlovsky and Hunter Gray produced. The latter two collaborated with Jacobs on Momma’s Manwhich ATO head of acquisitions Sarah Lash sold when she worked at Cinetic. 

“Azazel, the wonderful John C Reilly, his talented young co-stars and the seasoned producing team of Alison, Lynette, Alex and Hunter spelled out a winning combination for us,” ATO co-founders Johnathan Dorfman and Temple Fennell said. “Terri is what great American independent film is all about.”

Lash and Vicki Cherkas, the latter acting as legal counsel, negotiated on behalf of ATO with producers Orlovsky and Gray and their attorney Andre Des Rochers.

ATO releases its films theatrically through its partnership with Samuel Goldwyn Films in the distribution entity IDP. Recent acquisitions include Casino Jack on the eve of Toronto, and Mao’s Last Dancer.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment handles video distribution.