Toronto 2011’s first domestic acquisition is for the acclaimed sex addiction drama starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan.

In the first significant domestic acquisition of the festival, Fox Searchlight has earned a timely boost to its awards season roster after acquiring US rights to Steve McQueen’s acclaimed drama ahead of the North American premiere on Sunday.

received its world premiere in Venice and stars Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan in the portrait of a troubled sex addict. McQueen and Abi Morgan co-wrote the screenplay.

Shame is a See-Saw Films production for Film4 and UK Film Council and See-Saw’s Iain Canning and Emile Sherman (Oscar winners for The King’s Speech) served as producers.

Tessa Ross, Robert Walak, Peter Hampden and Tim Haslam served as executive producers. HanWay Films is handling sales.

“This is a brave statement and an important move by Fox Searchlight,” McQueen said. “I am very happy they came on board to release Shame in the US. It’s great to be working with a team that is so passionate about cinema.”

Fox Searchlight’s evp of worldwide acquisitions Tony Safford, svp of business affairs Megan O’Brien and vp of acquisitions Ray Strache brokered the deal with Thorsten Schumacher and Claire Taylor of HanWay Films. 

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