Tribeca Film, in cooperation with Focus World, has acquired the U.S Rights to Greetings from Tim Buckley, a fascinating portrait of two generations of musicians: Tim Buckley, the famous folk rock star, and his son, Jeff Buckley. Featuring a riveting performance by Penn Badgley (Margin Call, Gossip Girl), this film will appeal to both movie fans and music lovers.

Since the world premiere of Greetings from Tim Buckley at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, the film has generated considerable buzz and positive reviews. The Hollywood Reporter, for example, raves about the film’s “urgent originality” that springs from Penn Badgley’s “vibrant, break-out performance” and from Dan Algrant’s “lyrical recreation of a father-son relationship through memory and music.”

Directed by Dan Algrant and co-written by Algrant, Emma Sheanshang and David Brendel, the film features, in addition to Badgley, Imogen Poots (A Late Quartet) and Ben Rosenfield as Tim Buckley. Jumping back and forth between the 1990s and 1960s, Greetings from Tim Buckley initially follows s the young, unknown Jeff Buckley, as he prepares to participate in a tribute concert for his late father.

Jeff struggles with the legacy of a man he barely knew, and takes comfort in a relationship with an enigmatic young woman (Poots) working on the show. They explore New York together and gradually fall in love, and the film juxtaposes their journey with one taken by Tim Buckley in the 1960s when, on the verge of stardom, he srives across the country with a girlfriend towards his future.

Geoff Gilmore of Tribeca Film explained why Tribeca was drawn to the film: “Greetings from Tim Buckley is a uniquely independent vision—a musical, a love story, and an examination of a father-son relationship that never was.” With an especially affecting performance by Penn Badgley, and directed by the very talented Dan Algrant, Buckley is an example of storytelling of the highest caliber and quality. We are especially excited to be partnering with Focus to release this film across all platforms.”

“The partnership between Tribeca and Focus finds us a perfect home for Buckley,” added Mr. Algrant. “No rules exist any more for films like this, where the audience will not only want to find it playing nearby in a theater, but also to pull it onto their own personal screen ASAP. I only advise them to have proper speakers so they can blast the concert sequence—or they'll be missing out.”

Look for Greetings From Tim Buckley in 2013 when the film will be released theatrically as well as on VOD and digital platforms.