IFC Films has picked up North American rights to Shawn Christensen’s drama ahead of its international premiere in Venice. Separately, The Orchard has picked up Marshall Curry’s Tribeca-winning doc Point And Shoot.

Christensen wrote Before I Disappear and stars alongside Fatima Ptacek, Emmy Rossum, Paul Wesley, Richard Schiff and Ron Perlman.

Damon Russell, Lucan Toh, Christensen, Wesley and Terry Leonard produced and the executive producers are Christopher Eoyang, Nick Harbinson, Oliver Roskill and Emily Leo.

IFC plans a November roll-out for the story of a down-at-heel man whose sister asks him to babysit his 11-year-old niece for the night. The film won the SXSW narrative feature audience award.

“Curfew [Christensen’s short film on which the feature is based] was only a glimpse at Shawn’s incredible talent, and we cannot wait to bring his fully realised vision to audiences nationwide,” said Sundance Selects/IFC Films president Jonathan Sehring. “Before I Disappear marks an amazing feature directorial debut.”

“Working with Shawn and watching his screenplay take shape into such a poignant and well-crafted feature has been a tremendous experience,” said Toh of Wigwam Films. “We are delighted to be working with IFC Films to bring the film to audiences across North America.”

Arianna Bocco and Sean Berney negotiated the deal with ICM Partners on behalf of the filmmakers.

  • The Orchard has acquired US rights to Marshall Curry’s Tribeca grand jury winner Point And Shoot. The film chronicles OCD sufferer Matthew VanDyke as he sets off on a self-described “crash course in manhood” through the Middle East. The Orchard will release theatrically in autumn and on digital in early 2015. Danielle DiGiacomo of The Orchard negotiated the deal with The Film Sales Company president Andrew Herwitz of on behalf of the filmmaker.

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