The Weinstein Company has made its first acquisition of Sundance, taking rights to Derek Cianfrance’s US Dramatic Competition entry Blue Valentine.

Meanwhile the Weinsteins remained heavily involved in discussions for Amir Bar-Lev’s documentary I’m Pat Tillman, and talks were progressing on Debra Granik’s acclaimed Winter’s Bone, with Samuel Goldwyn, SPC and Apparition believed to be in the mix.

WME Global is understood to have sold North American and pan-Asian TV rights to Blue Valentine for approximately $1m in a deal that closed last night in Park City. Oscilloscope had also been in the running but dropped out when the price crept up. It is understood WME Global was asking for an advance in the $500,000-$750,000 range.

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star as a couple who retreat to a theme hotel in a bid to save their sailing marriage.The film shifts timelines to illustrate their passionate early days.

The Weinsteins will take pride in their first acquisition at the festival on the day when their once-great former home Miramax closed down. Staff in the New York offiecs were let go a while back and today the Los Angeles office shut its doors for good.

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