The fourth day of the Sundance Film Festival saw Zach Braff's Kickstarter-funded film become the first big purchase of the festival.
Deadline reports that Focus Features has signed a deal to distribute "Wish I Was Here" in 500 theaters. The deal was made for $2.75 million and it also includes prints and advertisements. The film has been garnering buzz because it was funded on Kickstarter.
Meanwhile, Lynn Shelton's latest film "Laggies" also obtained a distributor. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the film was purchased by A24 for $2 million. The film had garnered interest by a number of distributors including Fox Searchlight and Focus Features. A24 plans to distribute the film later this year.
Other films that obtained distribution included last year's Sundance film "Kink," which was produced by James Franco, and "Love is Strange," which recently premiered to rave reviews.
A couple of films premiered at the festival. Among them were the Dane Dehaan movie, "Life After Beth." The movie received good reviews with John Defore from The Hollywood Reporter calling it "one of the most emotionally credible zom-coms since 'Shaun of the Dead.'"
Marjane Satrapi's first English film also made its debut, "The Voices," starring Ryan Reynolds. Jacki Weaver Boyd van Hoeij from the Hollywood Reporter gave the movie a good review: "A wild, occasionally hilarious genre crossbreed that features a terrific performance from Ryan Reynolds."
The Sundance Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world where many new filmmakers and important films are discovered. Recent Sundance hits have gone on to get nominated for Academy Awards, including "Winter's Bone," "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Before Midnight," and "Precious."
The Sundance Film Festival will conclude on Jan. 26 with the annual awards ceremony.
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