The distributor has taken all North American rights to the recent Tribeca world premiere starring Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd. HanWay will launch sales in Cannes.

Anchor Bay plans an awards season release in autumn.

Phil Morrison directed the story about two Canadian ex-cons who are forced to reassess their lives when they travel to New York to set up a Christmas tree stand. Sally Hawkins and Amy Landecker round out the key cast. 

Elizabeth Giamatti, Dan Carey, Sidney Kimmel and John Penotti produced. Paul Giamatti served as executive producer with Michael Hogan and Bruce Toll.

Almost Christmas is an Anchor Bay Films, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and GreeneStreet Films presentation of a Touchy Feely Films production.