IFC Talks Joan Rivers Doc from Sundance

A scene from Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg's doc "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work." Image courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg's Sundance doc "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" has been picked up by IFC Films.

The film, which had its world premiere in Park City in the U.S. Documentary Competition, chronicles the private dramas of irreverent, legendary comedian and pop icon Joan Rivers. Shot over the course of a year, the film is a cinema vérité look at the star's comedy, moments of self-doubt, anger and the larger entertainment world which she traverses including the trappings of success, celebrity and pop culture.

The deal for the Joan Rivers doc, which will be released this year by the company, was negotiated by Arianna Bocco from IFC Films with Josh Braun and Jason Janego of Submarine Entertainment. As many as four other companies were understood to be in the mix aiming to acquire the well-received fest film.

"It was an incredible and joyous experience and I'm proud to be a part of something so honest and amazingly produced," Rivers said in a statement tonight, "Now, show me the money!"

Last week, IFC also acquired Michael Winterbottom's "The Killer Inside" at the Sundance Fest.