Mike Fleming

UPDATE: The Weinsterin Company just made it official. Release is below Deadline’s original break.

BREAKING: The Weinstein Company has just closed a deal to acquired all rights to the Lee Hirsch-directed documentary The Bully Project. The film got a rousing response at its Saturday premiere in downtown Manhattan, which recognized families of children who harmed themselves after being bullied. The documentary chronicles the journey of several teens dealing with the repercussions of being bullied in school. It’s an epidemic in society and the film makes a powerful statement. Deal was brokered by Submarine’s Josh Braun and TWC’s acquisitions head Peter Lawson. Hirsch previously directed the documentary Amandla!

New York, NY, April 25, 2011 – The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today that it has acquired from Submarine Entertainment all rights to THE BULLY PROJECT, the acclaimed new documentary from Emmy and Sundance award-winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch (AMANDLA! A REVOLUTION IN FOUR PART HARMONY) that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday, April 23. The deal covers all rights in North America, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Germany. TWC also acquired the film’s distribution rights for pan-Asian satellite TV, and will be the sales agent for the remaining global territories. THE BULLY PROJECT is directed by Lee Hirsch, produced by Hirsch and Cynthia Lowen, and written by Lowen and Hirsch. Cindy Waitt is the executive producer. The announcement was made by TWC’s Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions Peter Lawson.

Said Lawson, “THE BULLY PROJECT is a phenomenally insightful and moving examination of bullying and its long-term impact. We think this is one of the year’s most important films, and we intend to bring all our energy and creative resources to bear in bringing THE BULLY PROJECT and its message to audiences of all ages.”

“As filmmakers we are overjoyed to be working with The Weinstein Company,” remarked Hirsch and Lowen. “Their significant commitment towards this film will ensure it reaches the national stage, and will certainly amplify its capacity to effect change.”

TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein commented, “After my team saw THE BULLY PROJECT, they immediately called and urged me to see it. I am glad they did. As a parent of four, bullying is an issue that concerns me deeply, and I jumped at the opportunity to be involved with a film that could help eradicate this plague once and for all.”

The deal was negotiated for TWC by Lawson and Vice President of Acquisitions Dan Guando; and for the filmmakers by Submarine Entertainment’s Josh Braun and David Koh.