UK independent distributor Optimum Releasing has acquired the UK rights to veteran documentarian Nick Broomfield's Sundance hit, Biggie And Tupac, in a deal struck with Luc Roeg of the Artists Independent Network . Lions Gate Films has domestic rights on the film.

The film investigates the still unsolved murders of rap superstars Christopher Wallace (aka "Biggie Small", the Notorious B.I.G) and Tupac Shakur, and was screened as a Premiere in Park City this year.

Optimum's pick-up adds to Overseas Film Group's Lawless Heart , starring Douglas Henshall and Bill Nighy and directed by Tom Hunsinger and Neil Hunter (Boyfriends). Lawless Heart was selected by Time Out as their gala film at the London Film Festival 2001. The UK release will be June 2002.

These pick ups add to the Optimum's 2002 slate which already includes

Francis Veber's international hit The Closet, the MGM comedies What's The Worst That Could Happen and Tortilla Soup, festival hit Nine Queens and French Cesar favourites The Officers' Ward and Betty Fisher And Other Stories.

Optimum had a hit in 2001 with Amores Perros, which grossed more than£780,000 in the UK and is currently enjoying art-house success with Guillermo del Toro's The Devil's' Backbone (£240,000 so far). It is also handling Jean Luc Godard's Eloge de L'Amour.