Virgil Films recently acquired Bridegroom, the winner of the Heineken Audience Award for Documentary at this year’s Festival, for North American distribution. Directed by Linda Bloodworth Thomason, the film centers on the real-life story of Shane Bitney Crone and his boyfriend, Tom, whose accidental death shattered Crone’s world. Even though the couple had been together for six years, Crone was not recognized legally as Tom’s partner because they were not married.

After being banned from the funeral by Tom’s family and denied his rights by the government, Crone brought attention to his plight by making a YouTube video about his ordeal. The documentary brings attention the often-overlooked struggles that same sex couples suffer due to marriage inequality.

While DOMA has been labeled unconstitutional since the completion of this documentary, there still are 38 states that don’t recognize same-sex marriage. With the fight far from over, films like Bridegroom make the powerful statement that love is love, no matter the gender of your partner.

Bridegroom hits theaters this fall, with a VOD and DVD rollout to follow.