I thought it had a distributor? You only go to Sundance to find a distributor. I assume Warner optioned the distribution rights and was dissatisfied and let it expired. Cineloser is a Weinstein wannabe with a fraction of the finances and an even smaller fraction of the brains. Jen Jen needs to get away from those guys.
You're offended by a post made by a guy named Whackjob?
Distributors for TYB:
Warner Bros. (2016) (USA) (theatrical)
Barter Films (2017) (Italy) (all media)
Eagle Films (2016) (Non-US) (all media) (middle east)
Film & TV House (2017) (Non-US) (all media)
GEM Entertainment (2017) (Non-US) (all media)
Pinema (2017) (Turkey) (all media)
How come it wasn't released last year? They had their chances at the TIFF to build up for an Oscar run this year didn't happen and I'm not buying they're running it up for next year. Cineloser probably screwed the film up. Anyway isn't "The Comedian" Cineloser's big film for 2017?
You're offended by a post made by a guy named Whackjob?
WhackJob!
As Willie has answered, TYB has secured distribution for several territories. And no, you don't only go to Sundance (or any festival, for that matter) to find distributors. Most smaller films premiere at festivals because that's where they can generate the most effective amount of buzz, as these places are teeming with industry professionals - 'La La Land' at Toronto is just one example off the top of my head.
TYB has actually been entered into competition at Sundance, so I would image that Warner Bros. are the opposite of dissatisfied with the film.
As for why it wasn't released this past year... There could be several factors at play: war films looked set to dominate awards season early on (this hasn't ended up being the case thanks to Billy Lynn's demise), perhaps the film wasn't finished, perhaps Cinelou wasn't prepared to release Mr Church, The Comedian AND The Yellow Birds in such a short amount of time. However, the fact that they've held onto the film instead of dumping it for a quick VOD release, suggests they have high expectations for it and have taken a risk by holding out for this years festival circuit.
I can't answer your question because I am not in the film business. You would have to talk with Cinelou to find out why they did not enter TYB with TIFF.
I do know that TYB was in post production for a quite awhile and only just within the past week or so shows as "completed" on IMDB. Perhaps that was the reason it was not available for TIFF.