Lionsgate and CNN Films are believed to have paid in the region of $1m for North American rights following the film’s world premiere in US Documentary competition on Day One (16).

Todd Miller’s film explores the legal and political brouhaha that ensued after a team of paleontologists discovered Sue, the remains of the biggest T-Rex ever found.

Lionsgate will release in theatres and CNN will handle the North American broadcast premiere.

The distributors negotiated rights with Submarine on behalf of the film-makers.

  • Funny Or Die has partnered with producers Unison Films and Defendor Films on the comedy What We Do In The Shadows, set to receive its world premiere in Park City on January. Funny Or Die will leverage it social media presence leading up to release if and when a distributor acquires the film. CAA represents US rights to the film and brokered the alliance.
  • Element Pictures and Lenny Abrahamson have announced a first-look deal ahead of the January 17 world premiere of the latter’s Frank. The Premieres comedy stars Michael Fassbender in a ceramic head alongside Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The upcoming film and TV slate includes Room.
  • StarStream Entertainment co-founder Daniel McCarney has been unveiled as chief content officer ahead of the January 19 world premiere screening of the company’s US Dramatic Competition entry Life After Beth.