Neon has acquired the U.S. rights to the documentary Once Upon a Time in Harlem, which premiered at Sundance 2026, following an intense bidding war.
The documentary was originally filmed in 1972 by the late filmmaker William Greaves and has been restored and completed by his son, David Greaves. The film documents an extended conversation with surviving pioneers of the Harlem Renaissance, exploring themes of art, culture, and urban transformation.
Producers include Liani Greaves, and the film incorporates previously unseen 16mm footage from William Greaves’ personal archive. The restoration and archival process involved the preservation of more than 60,000 feet of raw footage.
Once Upon a Time in Harlem received strong critical acclaim at Sundance, drawing praise from critics including Variety. Netflix, Sony Pictures Classics, and Mubi were also among the contenders for the film’s rights.
Neon plans to release the documentary theatrically later this year. The deal marks Neon’s second acquisition at Sundance, following its earlier pickup of Leviticus.
