The deals continued to pick up at Sundance as the festival wound down. On Saturday, Roadside Attractions announced it had acquired "Winter’s Bone," a drama about 
a teenager (Jennifer Lawrence) seeking her missing father.
“With WINTER’S BONE, Debra Granik has crafted a classic detective story, a nail-biting thriller and an unbelievably touching family drama, all in one film,” said Roadside’s Head of Acquisitions and Business Affairs, Dustin Smith. “It’s everything Sundance is about. It’s everything independent film is about. And it’s everything I go to the movies for. We cannot wait to help Debra and her team get this film in front of as many people as humanly possible.”
Roadside plans to release the film theatrically this summer, with Lionsgate handling the ancilllary markets.
The deal was brokered by Dustin Smith and Howard Cohen for Roadside and Josh Braun and Jason Janego of Submarine Entertainment, on behalf of the filmmakers.
Roadside paid low to mid-six figures for the US rights.
For a full update on the latest deals, read more here.
Here’s the news release:
In a deal for one of Sundance’s mostcritically-acclaimed films, Roadside Attractions has acquired all North American rights to DebraGranik’s Dramatic Competition thriller WINTER’SBONE. Featuring an astonishing, star-making performance from actressJennifer Lawrence (Jodie Foster’s upcoming Mel Gibson starrer THE BEAVER), WINTER’S BONE follows 17-year-old Ree Dolly as she faces down theunforgiving Ozark wilderness and an even more hostile criminal underworld inattempt to find her missing father, who has put up the family homestead for hisbail.
“With WINTER’S BONE, Debra Granik hascrafted a classic detective story, a nail-biting thriller and an unbelievablytouching family drama, all in one film,” said Roadside’s Head of Acquisitionsand Business Affairs, Dustin Smith. “It’s everything Sundance is about. It’severything independent film is about. And it’s everything I go to the moviesfor. We cannot wait to help Debra and her team get this film in front of asmany people as humanly possible.”
Roadside plans to release the film theatrically this summer, with Lionsgatehandling all ancillaries later in the year.
Adapted from a novel by Missouri-based author Daniel Woodrell (Ride With the Devil), WINTER’S BONE was directed by DebraGranik, whose 2004 film Down To the Bonewon two Sundance jury prizes and launched the career of UP IN THE AIRstar Vera Farmiga. The WINTER’S BONE screenplay was adapted by Granik and Anne Rosellini,who also produced along with Alix Madigan. Executive Producers were JonathanScheuer and Shawn Simon. In addition to Jennifer Lawrence, the film alsofeatures stunning performances by John Hawkes (Me and You and Everyone We Know) and Dale Dickey (Changeling) as well as a team ofsupporting players cast directly from the Ozark region depicted in the film. WINTER’S BONE is a production ofAnonymous Content and Winter’s Bone Productions.
Following its Sundance launch, WINTER’SBONE will have its international premiere next month as an OfficialSelection of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival.
The deal wasbrokered by Dustin Smith and Howard Cohen for Roadside and Josh Braun and JasonJanego of Submarine Entertainment, on behalf of the filmmakers.
