Various films seeking out distributors made their matches at the Toronto Film Festival.
The first big sell of the festival was Derek Cianfrance's "The Place Beyond the Pines" starring Ryan Gosling. The film was bought by Focus Features and was one of the most anticipated of the festival as many distributors were "salivating over" the film. However after mixed reviews, a convoluted plot, and an overlong duration time many distributors were turned off. Still Focus beat out the Weinstein Company who was bidding high for the film. Focus, who has a filled lineup this year with "Anna Karenina," "Hyde Park Hudson," and "Promised Land" plans on releasing the film in 2013.
One of the other big sells was Olivier Assayas' "Something in the Air". The film recently won the best screenplay at the Venice Film Festival and has just been bought by IFC who will be distributing it worldwide. The coming of age film will next premiere in San Sebastian, Busan and the New York Film Festival.
Director Michel Gondry's latest "The We and I" was also recently acquired by 108 Media and Paladin. The film which opened in Cannes four months ago is now slated for a release in March in New York and Toronto.
Mike Newell's "Great Expectation" and Nick Cassavette's (The Notebook) latest feature "Yellow" have obtained sales representatives. Newell's was acquired by Outsource Media group while Cassavette's international rights were taken by Atlas a German production and sales group. Both films will be looking for US distribution throughout the remainder of the film festival.
Neil Jordan's "Byzantium", Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master", "The Iceman", "Great Expectations" and "The Impossible" will premiere tomorrow.