NEWS BRIEF: London factual distributor Mercury Media has acquired worldwide TV rights to The Unwinking Gaze (1×70′), which will have its world premiere when it opens the London International Documentary Festival on March 29.

The timely film follows the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in his activities at home and around the world over a three-year period. Director Joshua Dugdale gained exceptional access to the Dalai Lama, and chronicles what he calls his “agonies” as he tries to strike a balance between his dual roles as a Buddhist leader and a political activist.

“This is an unprecedented film observing the never-seen-before political activity of the man who may hold the key to the future of Tibet and quite possibly China,” Dugdale said. “It will challenge the perceptions of the Chinese, Tibetans and Westerners equally and I expect its impact to be significant. With the events of recent days the release of this film couldn’t be more critical.”