I believe this is the first *black film* to be picked up at the festival this year, and it's not much of a surprise, given all the hype since its premiere last week.

It's probably also the film to beat when dramatic competition awards are handed out this weekend.

It's already been noted that, after its immensely successful premier at the ongoing Sundance Film Festival – a debut that was met with a standing ovation and lots of applause at its end, for both the film and the director – several distribution comapnies were circling the film with great interest.

It was just announced that Fox Searchlight has indeed acquire Ben Zeitlin's feature film debut, the beautiful, whimsical and tragic Beasts of the Southern Wild.

No word on figures, or what the company's release plans are for the film, but likely a limited run, opening first in New York and LA, before gradually expanding to other cities, depending on early performance.

Other companies that were in the mix include Sony Pictures Classics, Focus Features, and The Weinstein Company. 

Now many of the rest of you will get to witness pint-size star Quvenzhane Wallis' onscreen charm.

Let's hope for a trailer soon.

I've seen the film, and reviewed it. You can read my thoughts HERE.