Participant lands 'Middle of Nowhere'

'Middle of Nowhere' opened within the Sundance U.S. Dramatic Competition.Participant Media has teamed with AFFRM to get U.S. Privileges to "Middle of Nowhere." African-American Film Festival Delivering Movement founder Ava DuVernay helmed the pic from the script he authored. Story focuses on a ladies separation from her imprisoned husband and her journey to keep her marriage and identity.Pic was created by by DuVernay, Howard Barish and Paul Garnes.AFFRM will distribute the film theatrically later this season, initiating marketing and marketing support through its broad grassroots collective run by a few of the nation's top black film organizations.DuVernay formerly helmed "I'll Follow," in regards to a lady whose existence is switched upside lower by tragedy, and those who emerge to assist her cope."?'Middle of Nowhere' is just Ava DuVernay's second feature, however it reflects the finesse and sensitivity of an even more experienced storyteller and also the type of quality filmmaking which has been a hallmark of Participant," stated Jonathan King, Participant Media's professional Vice president of production. "We are very excited to become joining forces together with her and her team at AFFRM, and anticipate creating a marketing and social-action campaign that fires up the film's styles and engages towns round the country."The offer was discussed by Ben Weiss from the Paradigm Film Group with Nina Shaw and Gordon Bobb of Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano, with respect to AFFRM, with Shaun Ivers of Participant. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com