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Earlier this evening we reported that Lee Daniels’ drama Push: Based on a novel by Sapphire won both the Dramatic Grand Jury and Audience Award Prizes for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. While I was writing up the awards alert, I was sent over a scoop by a very reliable source that said that Lionsgate is very close to acquiring the U.S. distribution rights to the film. The source said that the deal may not be done yet, but that Lionsgate is working hard to get it done.

This would make for Lionsgate’s second acquisition of the festival. Earlier in the week they acquired James C. Strouse’s The Winning Season, starring Sam Rockwell. We are currently working to confirm this scoop, but don’t be surprised if it shows up in the trades before we are able to do so.

Update: Today the folks at Variety confirmed my scoop. In their report (which of course doesn’t credit me for breaking the news), Lionsgate has acquired the film and big names Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry will help in its promotion. Which is great news, seeing as it is a great film.