The distributor has acquired US rights to Kyle Patrick Alvarez’s recent Sundance premiere and plans a 2015 theatrical release.

The Stanford Prison Experiment won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and The Alfred P Sloan Feature Film Prize in Park City.

The story centres on the real-life research of Dr Zimbardo’s infamous 1971 psychological tests in which 18 male undergraduates were assigned the role of guards and prisoners.

Billy Crudup stars alongside Ezra Miller, Michael Angarano, Tye Sheridan, Johnny Simmons, Olivia Thirlby, Nick Braun, Thomas Mann, Ki Hong Lee, James Wolk, James Frecheville and Moises Arias.

Abandon Features produced with Sandbar Pictures’ Lizzie Friedman and Greg Little, Coup d’État Films’ Brent Emery and Lauren Bratman. Brian Geraghty is the executive producer. Abandon Features, Sandbar Pictures and Vineyard Point Productions financed.

Arianna Bocco brokered the deal with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the film-makers.