Variance nabs 'Elevate' rights

Variance Films has acquired U.S. theatrical rights to the basketball documentary "Elevate" and has set an opening for Oct. 21 in NY.Directed by Anne Buford, the film follows four teenagers from Senegal aiming to wind up with careers in the NBA.Variance announced the deal Friday. It will open "Elevate" in Los Angeles, Dallas and San Antonio on Nov. 4 and in Chicago, Houston, Washington DC and Oklahoma City on Nov. 11."Elveate," filmed over four years, documents the challenges the four Senegalese selected from by Seeds (Sports for Education and Economic Development in Senegal) in dealing with American culture, mastering English and adapting to aggressive American-style basketball. Pic was produced by Buford, Chiemi Karasawa, Mark Becker, and Victoria Yoffie. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

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