Lions Gate Films has bought North American theatrical distribution rights to Nicole Holofcener's Lovely & Amazing which screened yesterday at the Toronto International Film Festival - although its scheduled premiere screening on Tuesday was cancelled due to the terrorist attacks in the US. The film was first seen at the Telluride Film Festival last month.

Lions Gate bought the film from Blow Up Pictures, Good Machine and Roadside Attractions. Shot on digital video, Lovely & Amazing is a family portrait of four women and their distinctive neuroses. It stars Catherine Keener, Brenda Blethyn, Emily Mortimer, Dermot Mulroney, Jake Gyllenhaal, Raven Goodwin, Clark Gregg, James Legros, Michael Nouri and Aunjanue Ellis.

Lions Gate plans a release for the film in summer 2002.

The deal was negotiated by Peter Block, Guy Stodel, Jason Constantine and Ortenberg on behalf of Lions Gate, and by Good Machine partner Ted Hope, Anthony Bregman, senior vice president production, and Sue Bodine of Epstein, Levinsohn, Bodine, Hurwitz & Weinstein. Good Machine International is handling overseas sales of the film.