Sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide distribution rights to Don Cheadle’s directorial debut "Miles Ahead," which will make its World Premiere as the Closing Night film at the upcoming 53rd New York Film Festival (September 25 – October 11).

Sony hasn’t set a release date yet, but I’d wager that it’ll be out before the end of the year, if only to ensure that it gets an awards season – specifically 2016 Oscar-qualifying – run.

Cheadle’s unconventional bio (he’s insisted that it not be called a traditional biopic), for which he finally raised the funds needed for completion last year (after many years in limbo) wrapped principal photography last August (2014).

The story follows Miles Davis (played by Cheadle), after his record label steals his comeback album before he’s ready for it to be heard, as he hunts it down with the help of a music journalist (played by Ewan McGregor).  

If you haven’t yet read our interview with Don Cheadle about the project, you should. He fills in several blanks that you’ll appreciate, if it’s a film you’re excited about. Read it here.

Cheadle is producing the film through his Crescendo Productions banner, along with Bifrost’s Daniel Wagner, and Robert Ogden Barnum. Also producing are Darryl Porter and Vince Wilburn on behalf of the Davis estate, Lenore Zerman and Pam Hirsch.

Emayatzy Corinealdi (as Frances Taylor) and Keith Stanfield also co-star.

The New York Film Festival had this to say about the film: "You get to know the man inside and out and then you reveal him in full, which is exactly what Don Cheadle does as a director, a writer, and an actor with this remarkable portrait of Davis, refracted through his crazy days in the late-70s. Holed up in his Manhattan apartment, wracked with pain from a variety of ailments and fiending for the next check from his record company, dodging sycophants and industry executives, he is haunted by memories of old glories and humiliations and of his years with his great love (Emayatzy Corinealdi). Every second of Cheadle’s cinematic mosaic is passionately engaged with its subject: this is, truly, one of the finest films ever made about the life of an artist."

Now we wait for the first trailer.