The pic chronicles musician Roky Erickson through is rise in the '60s and '70s rock scene and his decline into mental illness and relative obscurity. McAlester's debut feature length, it garnered an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Documentary this year.

Now, Palm Pictures has opted the theatrical rights in what's probably one of the most complicated deals in recent memory. Netflix's distribution arm, Red Envelope, bought the rights from the producers only to sell them to Palm Pictures. But Netflix retains DVD rights, working with Palm to develop the disc release. Palm also took on TV rights, but the second window rights; Sundance Channel and Showtime have already got the first window TV rights. Follow that? Read the article, if you think it'd help.

With the film distribution model all but in pieces lately given the myriad of platforms out there, it's no suprise that deals are getting complicated. Netflix's approach this time seems to have worked out--they found a taker for the theatrical distribution. But I wonder what they'd have done if no one bought into the movie; Red Envelope was created as a DVD distribution division of the company.

The Hollywood Reporter covered a Wednesday panel titled "Independent Film Takes Center Stage," a conversation about independent film's recent surge in noteriety. In attendence were studio execs Bob Berney (Picturehouse), Mark Urman (ThinkFilm) and Bob Yari (Yari Film Group), actors David Duchovny and Judy Greer (The TV Set), as well as Jennifer Lopez and Leon Ichaso who produced and directed El Cantante, respectively.

The eclectic mix sparked interesting conversation, according to the play-by-play. Discussion ranged from the marketing strategy behind "The TV Set" and "El Cantante" to selecting the perfect release date for an independent flick.

Both movies represented on the panel are taking cues from recent box office successes like Pan's Labyrinth, a movie that ended up bringing in $35 million in the US alone. Urman plans on targeting The Daily Show's audience, and Berney's got Labyrinth's Spanish-speaking demo to reach out to. Limited budgets demand a creative approach to marketing, and both studios seem up for the challenge.

The panel's quick to thank theaters, too, acknowledging that finding more outlets for independent films ultimately means a bigger cut of the box office pie. It's no wonder big shots like AMC have added art house screens to their theaters; these days, it's a win-win situation.

This time last year, we already knew that Little Miss Sunshine was the breakout indie hit of the year. Nothing's grabbed as much attention yet in '07, but the year's still early. And if the industry folk on yesterday's panel have anything to do with it, there are plenty of independent hits headed to theaters in the very near future.

From the Hollywood Reporter story:

"...we didn't want it to seem like, 'Here's the New York festival, and here's the rest,'" said Nancy Schafer, TFF managing director and programmer. Executive director Peter Scarlet noted that the festival has been international from its inception. "We try to get the best damn films we can," he said.

Hailing from 25 countries, the year's slate boasts 10 world premieres and work from the likes of Michael Apted, Edward Burns, Julie Delpy, Leonardo DiCaprio, America Ferrera, and Debra Messing.

Wearing a producer had, DiCaprio brings Gardener of Eden, a project by Entourage star Kevin Connelly starring Giovanni Ribisi and Erika Christiensen, to the features list. Julie Delpy's 2 Days in Paris is there, as well as Burns' Purple Violets starring Patrick Wilson and Messing.

Docs announced are as varied as the narrative features. Apted's soccer pic The Power of the Game is included, as is We Are Together, a look at the AIDS epidemic in Africa from Paul Taylor.

The Tribeca site is chock full of festival info; find the entire film guide here. Festival runs April 25 to May 6.

According to Production Weekly, Howard has signed on to the adaptation of Tennessee Williams' The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond. Interestingly, she relpaces tabloid fixture Lindsay Lohan in the role.

The newly-discovered, previously-unproduced screenplay has privileged Fisher Willow (Howard) hating the "social conventions, glittering society balls, and her father’s greed," and looking to get out, an escape found in handsome farm hand Jimmy.

Also signed on to star are Ellen Burstyn as Fisher's mother, David Strathairn as Jimmy's alcoholic dad and Chris Evans as Jimmy. Evans, of "Fantastic Four" fame, will pop up on screen next month in The Nanny Diaries, opposite ScarJo.

"Teardrop" is being helmed by indie actress Jodie Markell in her first shot at the director's chair.

The Hollywood Reporter posted two new deals inked by Spanish distribution company Sogepaq. Strand Releasing has secured the US rights to DarkBlueAlmostBlack, and Here! Films is taking on The 2 Sides of the Bed through Regent Releasing.

"DarkBlue" is the debut feature from Daniel Sanchez-Arevalo, winning him the Best European Film in Venice and three trophies at Spain's Goya Awards. Pic is about two childhood friends and the obligations and uncertainties that follow them into adulthood.

The second-highest-grossing film in Spain in 2005, "2 Sides" is from Emilio Martínez Lázaro, and follows up The Other Side of the Bed. Three years have passed since the four friends of "Other Side" were wrapped up in affairs and "2 Sides" examines where they're headed next.

If 2006 was the Year of the Spanish Director, the industry seems happy to ride the coattails of that trend. Between these two flicks making headlines across the pond and the projects The Trifecta are working on, it's a trend that doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon.

Now, Black Snake Moan is in theaters, it's odd plotline and interesting casting generating plenty of buzz. In case you haven't heard about it, pic stars Christina Ricci as a nymphomaniac who stumbles onto Samuel L. Jackson's doorstep. To cure her of her sinful ways, Lazarus (Jackson) ties Rae (Ricci) to his radiator. I told you it was odd. But if "Hustle" is any indicator, Brewer's created a gritty, honest story that'll likely find an audience.

IFC's posted a quick interview with the filmmaker and rather than ask the tired questions (How did Justin Timberlake end up in the cast?), the conversation is a glimpse into where Brewer's unique take on filmmaking comes from. His southern childhood and passion for music both play large roles in his creative process.

According to Brewer, "Hustle" was his hip-hop film and "Black Snake Moan" is the blues. Up next, he tackles country music with "Maggie Lynn," about (in his own words) "this woman with two kids who used to play with her brother and her daddy, when he was alive, at state fairs, mountain music type stuff."

Watch the Black Snake Moan trailer, then check it out for yourself. Does it stack up to "Hustle"?

Opening March 22, AFI Dallas kicks off more than ten days of movies with Music Within, an "angry, rueful and surprisingly funny" take on the man behind the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ending the fest is Away From Her (pictured), a movie gaining early buzz through the festival rounds and already on Lionsgate's slate. Between these, over 150 movies will screen, included David Lynch's weird Inland Empire and The Ten, a series of vignettes that comically examine the ten commandments.

AFI's posted their 26-page Festival Guide, a bible of synopses and ticket info. If you're in Texas and not completely worn out by SXSW, the lineup at Dallas might be worth your time.

Heading to our northern neighbors, HotDocs opens April 19 in Toronto. While they've only posted a sneek peak of their lineup, the docket is already pretty promising. In its 14th year, HotDocs will bring more than 100 documentaries from twenty countries to the screen. Included in the preview is Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, about the abuse at the Iraqi prison, and an entire program revolving around the work of Canadian filmmaker Kevin McMahon. He's directed The Falls, Intelligence and McLuhan's Wake, all screening in the program. HotDocs should have a complete list of films up in the coming weeks.

I've never been to Canada. I'm sure Toronto is just lovely in April.

Written by scribe James DeMonaco, the flick "intersects the storylines of three of the borough residents and struggles of getting ahead." DeMonaco, according to the post, is set to direct as well, making it his debut at the helm.

Hawke and DeMonaco collaborated once already, on the shoot-'em-up Assault on Precinct 13 ( I guess that's what Hawke's been doing lately). DeMonaco's been writing for over 10 years; he's currently working on The Kill Pit, a series that revolves around a group of Iraq War veterans who rob a bank and take the patrons as hostages.

Too often independent film gets pigeon-holed as being sappy, touchy-feely and emotional. If anyone can add a dash (or more) of grit and action to the scene, it looks like DeMonaco's the one to do it. Time will tell if his talent for writing the exciting scenes can translate into his directing.

Registration is open for Film Racing, a guerilla filmmaking competition launching in several cities in coming months. The concept is simple: write, shoot, edit and score a four-minute (or less) film in 12 hours. Easy, right?

Not so fast, hotshot. Signing up for the escapade means agreeing to a certain level of uncertainty. After showing up at the specified location at high noon, organizers reveal the event's theme (Revenge and Bad Advice have been used) and a "surprise element" that must be used in the movie. Could be a prop, a line of dialogue...anything, really.

As if this underground, high-pressure filmmaking weren't cool enough, the fun really starts after the completed movies are submitted. In each participating city, a local theater will showcase the movies, allowing audiences to judge the winners. Top films will be distributed on the Film Racing stie and one lucky short will be named the Best Film of 2007. If those bragging rights alone aren't worth it, I don't know what is.

Boston and New York City registrations are now open. Cities from Portland to Minneapolis to Atlanta have races in the works, so check it out and get to the starting line!

Thanks to Cinematical for the heads up.

Crowd and award favorite was the endearing Little Miss Sunshine. The family road trip comedy took home four honors, including Best Feature, Best Director, Best First Screenplay, and Best Supporting Male. Which incidentally turned out to be a fairly decent prediction of how Oscar night would go for the gang in the VW van. In another predictive moment, the Spirit for Best Foreign Language Film went to The Lives of Others, which turned out to upset Pan's Labyrinth Sunday night.

Gettling lots of Spirit love while being virtually ignored by the Academy was a personal favorite, Half Nelson. Co-stars Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps were named Best Male and Female Leads, respectively (pictured). Rounding out the four acting awards, Frances McDormand won Best Supporting Female honors for her role as a wealthy suburbanite in Friends With Money.

The Independent Spirit Awards don't mess with honors for sound and costuming and the like; instead, they've got the John Cassavetes Award for films made under $500,000. Quinceañera won that one. And Thank You For Smoking scribe (and director) Jason Reitman won for his screenplay.

Read the entire list of winners here. How do you think the Spirit Award winners compare to the Oscars? I tend to put more merit in these than those from an Academy interested mainly in patting itself on the back, but maybe I'm in the minority there.

Now, Variety reports that the actress is poised to take on something she's not as used to. She's signed with Focus Features to star in not one but two films for the studio. In April, she begins filming "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day." After that, she's signed up for Burn After Reading.

Pettigrew is based on a period comic novel by Winifred Watson; she's a governess in 1938 who's forced to deal with her songstress employer's indiscresions.

Only a few more details are available about Reading, perhaps because McDormand's married to one half of the directing team. Helmed by the Coen brothers, she'll co-star with George Clooney. It's "a dark comedy about the CIA," according to the industry mag.

Focus Features has been behind movies like Brokeback Mountain, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Lost in Translation. Depending on how these two flicks turn out, we could likely have more McDormand talk on Oscar weekend in a couple of years.

Jordan, who most recently wrote and directed Breakfast on Pluto, will rewrite Carnival before shooting begins. It's based on "a Victorian city inhabited by humans, faeries, elves and vampires, with a detective pursuing a serial killer." He's got to wrap on his upcoming flick first. The Brave One, starring Jodie Foster and Terrance Howard, is due out this year.

Waters' has movies like Mean Girls and Just Like Heaven under his belt already, and The Spiderwick Chronicles hits theaters in 2008. Matthew McConaughey is set to star in Girlfriends, about a guy who attends his younger brother's wedding only to see..well...ghosts of his past girlfriends.

Neither movie will get underway until next year, though, so let the waiting begin.

Now, with an Oscar nomination to his credit and no less than four films in the works, Gosling's found himself in exactly the place he didn't expect to be: a successful one. The Guardian's posted an interview with the reluctant star. "People are being very supportive, and that's against my plan," he says, shaking his head, "I was planning on being ostracised!" Someone should tell him that's what happens when you knock the socks off all of Hollywood with one performance.

The interview is chock full of little-known Gosling tid-bits. Did you know he was on The Mickey Mouse Club with Justin, Christina and Britney (and Keri Russell, though no one mentions that for some reason)? Did you know that he corrupted his co-stars' sensibilities so much that the mothers intervened? He wasn't supposed to get the role in "The Believer," but it turned into the role that put him on the map. When he's not working on a movie, he's working in the kitchen of the restaurant he co-owns.

Maybe I'm late to the party, having just caught on to how talented this guy is. How long have you been a fan of Gosling's? It may be the oldest cliche out there, but I'm happy to apply it here: better late than never.

That was Kaye's last feature film, until he premiered Lake of Fire at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The two and a half hour documentary is a 360-degree look at the abortion debate, a project Kaye financed on his own over its sixteen years in production. ThinkFilm, the studio that put Spellbound and Born Into Brothels into theaters, just picked up the graphic doc that cost $6 million to make.

In '98, Kaye butted heads with New Line Cinema over American History X. He wanted final cut and, oddly, to change his directorial credit to read "Humpty Dumpty." Mark Urman, head of U.S. theatrical distrib at ThinkFilm, doesn't see the same issues with Lake, and his enthusiasm about the project is evident. "We loved the movie we saw in Toronto," he said.

What is so provocative about 'Lake of Fire' is not that it refuses to take a point of view on abortion but the way it shows how we are victimized by a sense that what we believe is more important than what others believe...It's an illness that plagues our society, and the result of people acting on a sense that they are right and others are wrong can be seen in the Middle East, in Africa and many other places.

The film takes a no-holds-barred approach to dissecting the abortion issue in America. Footage of procedures, doctors killed for performing them, and interviews with the likes of lawyer Alan Dershowitz and activist Randall Terry all made it into the final epic cut. Of the hundreds of hours of footage that didn't make it in, Kaye'd like to take it all to TV. "There are so many personal stories that didn't make the cut," he said.

ThinkFilm plans an October release.

Turns out, the rumors were true.

According to the fest's site, some thirty-odd directors have been tapped to craft three-minute vignettes about going to the movies. Called "To Each His Cinema," the pic will chronicle the stylings of directors as varied as the Coen Brothers (Fargo), Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu (Babel), Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers) and Roman Polanski (The Pianist), exploring in unique view how each discovered movies.

The release posted on the site is stuffy and overly-formal, probably due to a less-than-talented translator. But something about the flowery language makes the announcement that much more exciting. How often do the greatest living filmmakers from "5 continents and 25 countries" get together to make one monumental film? How often do they accept the assignment without knowing at all what the other thirty are doing, willing to watch the finished product at the festival with everyone else?

From the sound of what festival Director Gilles Jacob shares in the post, some of the filmmakers have already put their three minutes together. Jacob reveals that David Cronenberg (A History of Violence) shot his in (where else?) a bathroom.

Cannes Film Festival is May 16 - 27; the film will screen May 20th.