HBO alert for Broomfield’s Grim Sleeper

HBO Documentary Films has become the first international buyer of filmmaker Nick Broomfield’s new feature doc Tales of the Grim Sleeper.

The deal gives premium cable channel HBO exclusive local rights to the Sky Atlantic doc, in which Broomfield (The Leader, Biggie and Tupac) revisits the story of South Central LA serial killer Lonnie Franklin Jr., who was arrested in 2010, to explore whether police chasing the killer deserved the kudos they gained from the case.

Josh Braun of indie film distributor Submarine negotiated the deal on BSkyB’s behalf with Nancy Abraham of HBO Documentary Films.

Sky’s sales arm, Sky Vision, has international distribution rights, but sub-licensed North American rights to Submarine, which then scored the deal.

“Tales of the Grim Sleeper is a very important film to me and everyone involved. It was important for it to find a good home, and I can’t think of a better one than HBO Documentary Films,” said Broomfield.

“I’m thrilled to continue my relationship with [HBO Documentary Films president] Sheila Nevins and Nancy Abraham and their team who are going to make sure this important and timely film gets seen by the most possible people.”