The Steve Coogan comedy “Hamlet 2” got the party started, as the song goes, at Sundance and made history at the same time as one of the biggest sales in the festival’s history.

The Sundance Film Festival picked up momentum Tuesday when several film distribution deals were signed. One film in particular, “Hamlet 2” starring Steve Coogan and Catherine Keener, was acquired by Focus Features for nearly $10 million, trade paper Variety reports.

The deal was closed after an intense night of bidding, which saw Focus Features contend with Summit Entertainment, Weinstein Co., Lionsgate and Warner Independent Pictures, with FF finally succeeding in obtaining worldwide rights.

Variety adds that the film was a late addition to the Sundance Film Festival lineup and that it premiered Monday afternoon. It tells the story of a zealous high school drama teacher (Coogan) who sets out to save his drama department by writing a sequel to the Shakespeare play. The cast also includes Amy Poehler and David Arquette.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that the deal is so far the biggest of the festival, joining previous high-selling entries like “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Hustle and Flow” and “Happy, Texas.”

Other deals settled this week include Overture Films’ purchase on Monday of U. S. rights to Mark Pellington's dramatic comedy “Henry Poole Is Here,” starring Luke Wilson. The Hollywood Reporter informs that the acquisition fell in the $4 million range.

Also Tuesday, Fox Searchlight picked up North American and most worldwide territory rights to Clark Gregg's black comedy “Choke” for $5 million, the HR adds. The film, an adaptation of the Chuck Palahniuk novel, stars Sam Rockwell as a sex-addict whose main manipulative technique is to force himself to choke in fancy restaurants; Anjelica Huston as his deranged mother; and Kelly Macdonald as her doctor.