Strand Releasing has obtained U.S. rights to the Venice Golden Lion winner "Desde Alla."

The Venezuelan film, which became the first film from the country to win the coveted prize at Venice, was sold at the American Film market and has been a festival darling. The movie made a splash at Toronto after winning at Venice and later went to AFI, where it obtained a special jury prize for Screenplay.

"Desde Alla" is directed by Lorenzo Vigas and tells the story of Armando, a 50-year-old man, who seeks the company of men in Carcacas, Venezuela and pays them. When he meets a 17-year-old boy that is the leader of a criminal gang, his life changes forever.

The film will not be representing Venezuela this year at the Oscars but with the success of the movie and a release prompted for next year expect the movie to be Venezuela's Oscar submission for 2017.

"Desde Alla" is considered the second part a trilogy. The first film was his multiple award-winning short film, "Elephants Never Forget" and the last part of the trilogy will be "The Box," which will begin filming in Mexico in 2016." All three films deal with paternity issues in South America.

"Desda Alla" is the latest LGBT themed film for Strand, which has specialized in auteur-driven films. Among the most recent films that they have released are "The Way He Looks," James Franco's "Interior Leather Bar" and Greece's Oscar selection "Xenia." The company also released award-winning films "Tyrannosaur," "Strangers by the Lake," "White Elephant," "Carancho" and "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives."

The Golden Lion is one of the most prestigious awards in the world and recent films include "A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence," "Sacro GRA," "Pieta" and "Faust."

Strand Releasing is planning on releasing "Desde Alla" in the spring of next year.