Most of the 117 feature films screening at this year's Sundance Film Festival were missing just one thing: Distribution.
As a showcase for independent cinema, the Sundance festival shows movies made outside the studio system through private financing. Without studio distribution, the festival is often the only place to see these films.
But distributors and exhibitors come to the festival in droves, looking for hot properties that will resonate with moviegoers across the country and around the world.
Below is a list of some of the films that found distribution at Sundance and will be coming to theaters (or computer screens) near you:
— "Whiplash," director Damien Chazelle's debut feature starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics for distribution in North America, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.
— "Wish I Was Here," the film Zach Braff co-wrote, directed and stars in with Kate Hudson, Mandy Patinkin, Josh Gad and Ashley Greene, will be distributed in North America, Poland and South Africa by Focus Features.
— "I Origins," an existential drama by writer-director Mike Cahill that stars Michael Pitt and Brit Marling, found worldwide distribution with Fox Searchlight Pictures.
— "The Skeleton Twins," which reunites "Saturday Night Live" alums Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, was acquired by three companies: Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions will handle U.S. distribution and Sony Pictures Worldwide is taking care of international territories.
— "God's Pocket," John Slattery's directorial debut starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Jenkins, Christina Hendricks and John Turturro, was picked up by IFC Films for U.S. audiences.
— "Calvary," writer-director John Michael McDonagh's dramedy about a well-meaning priest, will reach U.S. theaters and some international territories thanks to Fox Searchlight Pictures.
— "Cooties," starring Rainn Wilson, Elijah Wood and Jack McBrayer, secured North American distribution through Lionsgate.
— "Land Ho!" a road-trip comedy about Reykjavik nightlife, will reach worldwide audiences through Sony Pictures Classics.
— "Dinosaur 13," a documentary about the discovery of the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex, was picked up by Lionsgate and CNN Films for North American distribution.
— "Cesar's Last Fast," a documentary about Cesar Chavez's 36-day water-only fast to draw attention to the plight of farm workers, will air on TV in English and Spanish thanks to Pivot and Univison News.
— "Sepideh: Reaching for the Stars," a documentary about an Iranian girl who wants to be an astronaut, is available in the U.S. and Canada on iTunes.
— "MITT," Greg Whiteley's documentary about the former Republican presidential candidate, will premiere on Netflix on Friday.
