EXCLUSIVE: Blue Harbor Entertainment has acquired U.S. distribution rights to SXSW prize winner Luv Ya Bum!
The documentary feature, produced by Lucky Number 8, celebrates an indelible figure in NFL history: Bum Phillips, head coach of the Houston Oilers during the 1970s.
Winner of the 2025 SXSW Documentary Spotlight Audience Award, the film is set to premiere in select theaters on October 24, followed by a digital release on November 25.
Narrated by actor Dennis Quaid, Luv Ya Bum! was directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas, David Hartstein and Andrew Miller. It combines rare, archival footage with interviews with football notables like Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini, Peyton Manning, Sean McVay, Terry Bradshaw, Jerry Jones, J.J. Watt, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. NFL coaches Wade and Wes Phillips – Bum’s son and grandson, respectively – also appear in the film.
Set against the backdrop of a booming 1970s Houston, the documentary follows the Phillips-led transformation of the Oilers, who competed in the then-cutting-edge Astrodome and wore distinctive powder-blue uniforms. Known for his trademark cowboy hat and folksy charisma, Phillips led with authenticity, loyalty, and a deep belief in his players. He offered a decidedly different version of the NFL head coach, especially compared with from more staid rivals like Don Shula or Tom Landry.
Vance Howard, founder of Lucky Number 8 Productions, said Love Ya Bum! illustrates the company’s focus on stories highlighting integrity, leadership and character. In a statement, Howard called it “more than a football documentary; it’s a tribute to leadership, loyalty, and the kind of integrity that stands the test of time. Bum Phillips’ story offers something meaningful for audiences of all backgrounds, and it’s a testament to the impact one person can have on a team, a city, and multiple generations.”
Blue Harbor, which launched in 2023, is led by industry veterans Amanda Sherwin, Mike Messina and Seth Needle. The trio all held senior exec posts at Screen Media, leaving before it dissolved last year along with the rest of parent company Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment.
“Bum Phillips is still an inspiration to many,” Blue Harbor said in a statement. “The Lucky Number 8 production team have created a documentary that captures not just the story of a remarkable coach, but the values he stood for: resilience, loyalty, and heart. Luv Ya Bum! offers something meaningful for both longtime football fans and new audiences alike.”
The film was produced by Howard and Paul Jensen of Lucky Number 8 Productions and David Hartstein of Blue Suitcase. The film was co-edited by Douglas and Don Swaynos and features interviews conducted by photographer Mark Burns.
The post ‘Love Ya Bum!’ Acquired In U.S. By Blue Harbor; SXSW Prize Winner Spotlights Coach Of NFL’s Houston Oilers appeared first on Deadline.
