About Blue Harbor Entertainment

Blue Harbor Entertainment is redefining independent film distribution by putting control back in the hands of filmmakers. Founded in 2023 by industry veterans Amanda Sherwin, Mike Messina, and Seth Needle, our company was built as a much-needed alternative in today’s challenging distribution environment - one that empowers storytellers with transparency, producer-friendly terms and a team of veterans dedicated to handcrafting each release.

With decades of combined experience spanning hundreds of films, we provide a comprehensive, full-scale distribution and marketing solution that covers all windows - theatrical and digital releases (including transactional, subscription and ad-supported VOD platforms, as well as Pay TV). Our approach is filmmaker-directed: we design customized release strategies and marketing campaigns that align with each creator’s vision and budget, ensuring every film reaches its audience while maintaining creative control and financial oversight.

Notable releases include the romantic comedy A Nice Indian Boy, starring Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff; the award-winning, untold story of Dr. Audrey Evans in Audrey’s Children, starring Natalie Dormer; Lilly, the inspiring true story of equal-pay activist Lilly Ledbetter starring Patricia Clarkson; Olivia Kuan’s award-winning documentary The Herricanes, about the groundbreaking first women’s full tackle football league; the cannabis horror/thriller Trim Season, featuring Jane Badler (V); Zia Mohajerjasbi’s acclaimed drama Know Your Place, set amidst a transforming Seattle; the sci-fi thriller Star People; and the chart-topping documentary animal.

At Blue Harbor, you’re not just another title in a catalog - you’re a partner. We help chart a clear path for your movie, whether you’re packaging a project, bringing a finished film to market, or seeking to expand its reach. Our mission is simple: to ensure your story takes center stage and finds an audience with your collaboration.

  • Amanda Sherwin

    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.

  • Seth Needle

    Seth Needle

    Seth is a seasoned content acquisition specialist and creative executive with more than two decades of experience in independent film. Prior to Blue Harbor Entertainment, he served as the head of acquisitions and co-productions at Screen Media for more than 12 years, where he led the acquisition of many high-profile titles including The Outpost, Terry Gilliam’s The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, the Emmy®-winning Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street, The Lifeguard, and Stephen King’s A Good Marriage. During his tenure, he also forged strategic partnerships with Focus Features, Starz, Roadside Attractions, and others, while also overseeing content licensing for the company’s streaming platforms, which included Crackle, Popcornflix, and Redbox. In addition, Needle served as an executive producer on more than twenty films, including Willy’s Wonderland, Maggie Moore(s), Fast Charlie, Girl, and more. Before that, he started in the acquisitions department at Lionsgate and doing analytic research at MarketCast.

  • Mike Messina

    Mike Messina

    Mike has worked in independent film for more than 25 years. Prior to launching Blue Harbor, he was most recently EVP of Distribution at Screen Media, where he oversaw the distribution, marketing, and sales of 100+ movies, including the indie 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.