Nate Parker’s ‘Birth of a Nation’ Deal Richest In Sundance History

Nate Parker

Congratulations to Nate Parker and his new film, “The Birth of A Nation.” Worldwide rights to the drama have been picked up by Fox Searchlight at the Sundance Film Festival for $17.5 million, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

The film is an American biographical film about Nat Turner, the African-American slave who led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia in 1831. The film is written, produced, and directed by Parker, who also stars as Nat Turner. Parker wrote the screenplay and petitioned financiers to invest in the film. Along with Parker, the film features Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley, Penelope Ann Miller, and Gabrielle Union.

The film premiered in competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. Searchlight beat escalating bids from Weinstein Co, Netflix (which insisted on a day-and-date theatrical and streaming debut), Paramount and others.

The film is the highest price paid for a film at Sundance. Parker quit acting for nearly two years to work on getting financing for the film. Kudos to him!

“The deal is the richest in Sundance history.” *mic drop* *tosses confetti* *praise clap* *misty copeland twirl* https://t.co/OQnPMKShcR

— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) January 26, 2016

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