"...this was one of the best documentaries I have ever watched in my entire life."

The above is part of Erik's review of Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, a documentary we've been championing here ever since Slamdance in January. It is a stunning doc, one that everyone should see, and we've all been waiting to hear about the release date. Distribution has been in the works since Slamdance, and through my coverage of the film at Hot Docs, but all has been silent on the Zachary front until now.

MSNBC has picked up Dear Zachary. The company is launching a documentary division called MSNBC Films, which will support docs through their theatrical release before screening them on television, and the company is starting with Kurt Kuenne's triumph. Kurt says: "I'm honored and thrilled to be working with MSNBC and their new film division in presenting this film to the world. Their intelligent, socially conscious viewership is exactly the audience for whom I made this film -- the kind of people I hope will speak out for change if they are as outraged as I am by the events they see depicted in the film."

Kurt has also noted that while the theatrical release is still in negotiations, the film is set to air on MSNBC later this fall. And, in order to qualify for Academy Awards consideration, the documentary will screen in New York and Los Angeles at some point in August (we'll let you know when).

I couldn't think of a better documentary to launch a new division, and I cannot stress enough how important it is to see this film. It is challenging and sad, yet full of the kind of heart and strength we could all learn from.