HBO Documentary Films Acquires PUSSY RIOT - A PUNK PRAYER at Sundance

HBO Documentary Films today announced the acquisition of the crowd-pleaser PUSSY RIOT - A PUNK PRAYER, at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. HBO Documentary Films acquired U.S. television rights. Directed by Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin, the film made its world premiere Friday night to a sold out crowd.

"Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer" tells the incredible story of three young women: Nadia, Masha and Katia. As members of the feminist art collective Pussy Riot, they performed a 40 second "punk prayer" inside Russia's main cathedral. This performance led to their arrest on charges of religious hatred and culminated in a trial that has reverberated around the world and transformed The Face of Russian society forever. With unparalleled access and exclusive footage, this film looks at the real people behind their now famous colorful balaclavas.

Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin, the directors of "Pussy Riot" "are thrilled to be working with HBO on bringing this important story to the world."

Directed and produced by Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin, "Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer" was executive produced by Martin Herring and Havana Marking for Roast Beef Productions; Maxyne Franklin for Britdoc Bertha Fund; Nick Fraser and Kate Townsend for BBC Storyville, and; Nick Quested and Christina Willoughby for Goldcrest Films International.

Cinetic Media negotiated the deal with HBO Documentary Films. Goldcrest Films International is handling international sales.