Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired US theatrical rights to the documentary Exporting Raymond from writer-director Phil Rosenthal after its opening night screening at Austin Film Festival.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions will handle ancillary rights to the film in which Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, attempts to help the Russians translate his show into a local language sitcom.

Rosenthal produced with Jim Czarnecki while John Woldenberg served as executive producer. Goldwyn is targeting a second quarter 2011 release.

Samuel Goldwyn Films president Meyer Gottlieb said: “Phil has done a terrific job capturing a pulp culture phenomenon that his fans, fans of the show and anyone looking to laugh out loud will enjoy. We are thrilled to be in business with him, John and Sony.”

“[Samuel Goldwyn Films] have a history of working with great, wonderful, beautiful people, and I’m lucky they’re making an exception in my case,” Rosenthal said.

Goldwyn vice-president of acquisitions Peter Goldwyn negotiated the deal with Sony and the film-makers.

Topics