Filmmaker: Prop 8 movie's distribution rights sold

The film, which had its debut at the Sundance Film Festival last month, is Red Flag’s first acquisition, said Paul Federbush, a partner in the company.

"I think it’s a very important issue to us, not only gay marriage, but the issue of separation of church and state,” said Federbush. "We saw it at Sundance and felt it connected with the audience.”

The film drew strong reactions from Sundance viewers, including sustained standing ovations and tears. Some critics dismissed the movie as anti-Mormon propaganda.

Cowan declined to disclose the financial details of the deal. He said he’s also in talks with others for an international distribution deal.

Narrated by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, the 80-minute movie contends that the Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the driving force behind Proposition 8. The initiative reversed a court decision that legalized gay marriage.

"I’m pretty excited,” said Cowan, a former Mormon who is gay. "Now the film does truly go on to be seen all over the United States and people can decide for themselves.”

Based on materials about the movie posted on the Internet, church officials have denounced the film as inaccurate and biased. But at the time of the Jan. 24 premiere, they said they hadn’t seen the movie.

On Thursday, church spokeswoman Kim Farah declined to comment on the film’s distribution deal.

Cowan said he’d like to know which parts of the film are wrong. He also wants an opportunity to interview church officials and add their comments to the movie. Church officials declined requests for interviews during the making of the film.

"I would hold a screening at church headquarters for them,” Cowan said in telephone interview from his home in the Miami-area. "I would love to know line by line what’s inaccurate.”

In 2008, church leaders urged Mormons to give their time and money to support Proposition 8, which passed with 52 percent of the vote. Church members were among the campaign’s most vigorous volunteers and by some estimates contributed tens of millions to the effort.

After the vote, many gay rights advocates turned their anger toward the church in protests and marches outside Mormon temples — efforts chronicled in Cowan’s film.

California’s Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the vote, but the gay marriage ban is now the subject of a federal lawsuit.

Like many faiths, Mormons believe traditional marriage is an institution established by God. The church has consistently fought gay marriage legislation across the U.S. since the 1990s.

The church has no official position on civil unions, but has said it does not object to limited rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, as long as those rights don’t infringe on religious liberties.

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On the Net:

The Mormon Proposition, http:/www.mormonproposition.com

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://tinyurl.com/3dahr5