‘Christmas Vs. the Walters,’ With Bruce Dern, Shawnee Smith, Sells to Safier

Expanding Los Angeles-based distributor Safier Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to the comedic holiday feature “Christmas Vs. the Walters” out of the Cannes Film Market.

The ensemble film is led by Oscar nominee Bruce Dern, “30 Rock” regular and “Oz” actor Dean Winters, “Saw” franchise star Shawnee Smith and Emmy-winning “Schitt’s Creek” star Chris Elliott.

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Promised a wide theatrical release on Nov. 5 before heading to paid VOD and digital sell-through, the film is directed by genre helmer Peter D’Amato. He penned the script with Ante Novakovic.

“Christmas Vs. the Walters” sees Smith as the perfectionist expectant mother Diane Walters, who spends each year planning the ideal Christmas holiday. When her husband is taken out of town on business and her eccentric doctor confines her to bed rest, she races against the clock to craft another memorable celebration.

D’Amato and Novakovic also serve as producers with Rob Simmons of JARS Media Group and DJ Dodd of Future Proof Films. Gregg D’Amato and Christopher Vaccarelli are executive producing. D’Amato, Simmons and Novakovic negotiated the sale on behalf of the filmmakers with Jared Safier, CEO of Safier Entertainment.

Rounding out the acting ensemble is Caroline Aaron (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Betsy Beutler (“Last Call” and “Scrubs”), Paris Bravo (“Bad Therapy”), Nate Torrence (“She’s Out of My League”), Jack McGee (“Moneyball”), and Emmy winner Richard Thomas (“The Waltons”).

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