Sundance deals flow on 'Lizzie', 'Puzzle', 'Sorry To Bother You', 'Kusama – Infinity'

Sundance deal flow quickened up on Thursday (January 25) as Saban Films acquired North American rights to Lizzie, Magnolia Pictures took Kusama – Infinity, and SPC acquired Puzzle.

Meanwhile Annapurna was understood to be closing worldwide rights on Boots Riley’s sci-fi satire Sorry To Bother You following that film’s premiere in U.S. Dramatic Competition over the weekend.

Saban will partner with Roadside Attractions on a summer theatrical release for Craig William Macneill’s period drama Lizzie, which stars Chloe Sevigny and Kristen Stewart and is based on Bryce Kass’s screenplay about the unsolved 19th century Borden murders.

Sevigny plays Borden, who lives under her father’s domineering control until she meets and falls for the family maid Bridget Sullivan (Stewart) and was subsequently put on trial for the murder of her father and step-mother. Lizzie premiered last Friday in U.S. Dramatic Competition.

Sevigny produced with Naomi Despres and Liz Destro, while executive producers are Elizabeth Stillwell, Roxanne Fie Anderson, and Edward J. Anderson of Powder Hound Pictures. Saban brokered the deal with Endeavor Content and Gersh on behalf of the filmmakers.

Sony Pictures Classics acquired worldwide rights to Puzzle following its debut in Premieres on Tuesday. Marc Turtletaub’s drama stars Kelly Macdonald as a suburban wife and mother who flowers when she discovers a passion for solving jigsaw puzzles.

Oren Moverman wrote the screenplay and producers are Wren Arthur, Guy Stodel, Peter Saraf, and Turtletaub. ICM Partners negotiated with SPC on behalf of the filmmakers.

Rapper Riley’s feature directorial debut Sorry To Bother You stars Lakeith Stanfield as a black telemarketer who rises up the ranks, much to the chagrin of his activist girlfriend, and uncovers a macabre corporate secret. Tessa Thompson, Armie Hammer and Steven Yeun also star. Endeavor Content represented sales rights.

Magnolia Pictures has acquired US rights to Kusama – Infinity, a portrait of the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Heather Lenz directed the U.S. Documentary Competition selection that premiered on Sunday. Submarine represented the filmmakers in the deal and Dogwoof handles international sales.