Participant Media has signed a deal whereby Josh Braun’s Submarine will handle North American sales and consult on its upcoming documentary slate.

The roster includes new documentaries by Davis Guggenheim, Lucy Walker and Brian Hill. In addition, Braun will serve as a consultant to Participant on business and general strategy relating to its documentaries.

Submarine is close to selling Don Argott’s The Art Of The Steal in Toronto and is also in Canada representing Ahead of Time, How To Fold A Flag and Cleanfix.

Braun recently secured distribution deals with Magnolia Pictures, Alliance Films and PBS’ P.O.V. for Participant and River Road Entertainment’s documentary Food, Inc. The film has grossed more than $4m to date in North America.

Submarine also sold Sundance hit The Cove to Roadside Attractions while Participant handled the social action campaign surrounding the dolphin slaughter film.

Other independent films handled by Submarine include Humpday, Valentino: The Last Emperor, Soul Power,The Mystery Team, Burma VJ and this year’s Oscar winning documentary Man On Wire.

“We are delighted to formalise this arrangement with Josh for our upcoming docs,” Participant’s executive vice-president of documentary production Diane Weyermann said. “With his expert knowledge of the independent film business and passion for documentaries, he will be an invaluable asset as we look to secure distribution for our next slate of docs.”

“Participant’s genuine commitment to high quality and meaningful documentary films is rare and exciting to be part of,” Braun said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to work with Diane and the Participant team in an ongoing arrangement that will allow us to more intimately collaborate and strategise on the documentary division’s impressive upcoming slate as well as their overall goals moving forward”

Craig Emanuel at Loeb and Loeb provided legal services for Submarine during the negotiation.