Toronto 2012: Neil Jordan's Vampire Pic 'Byzantium' Goes to IFC Films

TORONTO -- IFC Films is biting into Neil Jordan's vampire pic Byzantium, which had its world premiere Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival.

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The pact for domestic rights to the film starring Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton marks IFC's first acquisition at the festival. Sources say it was IFC's $2 million offer that drew blood.

Heading into Toronto, Byzantium was on the list of every buyer, both small and large. However, bigger distributors passed on the film, which is receiving mixed reviews. Also, no one was sure how commercial Byzantium would be, considering Jordan's art house pedigree (IFC is a natural home for art house titles).

The film gives an all-female twist to the vampire genre, chronicling a mother-and-daughter bloodsucking duo who form a deadly pact. Moira Buffini wrote the screenplay.

WME and CAA co-repped domestic rights.