Sundance: Lionsgate, CNN Films Team for Doc 'Dinosaur 13'

The documentary, which sources say sold for nearly $1 million, was first screened at Eccles Theatre on Jan. 16.

PARK CITY -- Dinosaur 13, a documentary about the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the unearthing of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever, was acquired by Lionsgate and CNN Films.

The deal, which sources peg at nearly $1 million, marks the first domestic acquisition of the Sundance Film Festival.

Director and producer Todd Miller has been a filmmaker for more than a decade, but he made his debut at Sundance with Dinosaur 13, which premiered at Eccles Theatre on Jan. 16. in the U.S. Documentary Category.

The film exposes the struggle between a slew of organizations, including the U.S. government and Native American tribes, and a team of paleontologists for ownership of Sue the dinosaur.

The deal was negotiated by Jason Constantine, Lionsgate's president of acquisitions and co-productions, along with Lionsgate's Eda Kowan, Marc Danon and Wendy Jaffe; and CNN's Vinnie Malhotra and Stacey Wolf, with Josh Braun, David Koh, and Dan Braun of Submarine. Attorney Evan Krauss of Gray Krauss Stratford Des Rochers repped the filmmakers.