Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to John Young’s Rivers Wash Over Me.

The film centres on a 15-year-old from Brooklyn who is sent to live with his aunt in rural Alabama and the domestic turmoil that ensues.

Darien Sills Evans, Derrick L Middleton and Elizabeth Dennis star. Strand plans a limited release in late May/early June.

Co-president Jon Gerrans negotiated the deal with Young. Strand handled all rights on Young’s previous release The Reception and home video on Parallel Sons.

“We’re thrilled to have worked on all of Young’s films and am proud to be part of this one as well,” Strand co-president Marcus Hu said.

Rivers Wash Over Me won the grand jury prize for best feature at The Chicago LGBT Film Festival and the Best Acting Award for Middleton at Los Angeles’ Outfest.

Young is developing the Keith Haring project Paradise.