Australian distributor Niche Pictures, which was recently acquired by Lyn McCarthy, has acquired local rights to Errol Morris's Mr Death: The Rise And Fall Of Fred A. Leuchter Jr. The 90-minute documentary was well received when it screened this week on the third day of the Sydney Film Festival.

McCarthy has only recently been allowed to re-enter the distribution arena after being blocked following the sale of Dendy Cinemas and Dendy Distribution - which she co-owned with her husband Graeme Tubbenhauer - to the Becker Group three years ago.

Niche was founded by Sydney exhibitor Meskovic, who runs the Chauvel Cinema, 18 months ago and contracted out all the marketing to McCarthy and Tubbenhauer's Maverick Films, which is now being closed down.

McCarthy told Screen International that Niche would acquire about three films a year, principally feature films. She is currently concentrating on the theatrical releases of Tim Roth's The War Zone (which opens on June 15) and Mr Death (Sydney June 29, Melbourne August 10) and the video release of Davida Allen's homegrown film Feeling Sexy.