"Scratch," Doug Pray's DJ documentary featuring Q-Bert, DJ Shadow, Mix Master Mike and Cut Chemist, is headed for the big screen.

The independent film intersperses interviews with show footage as it examines the turntablist movement and looks at DJs who helped pioneer hip-hop and continue to push the format forward. It's expected to be released to theaters this year, according to a representative for Palm Pictures.

Palm Pictures, run by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, acquired "Scratch" after the film's buzz-generating screening at this year's Sundance Film Festival. The DJ and hip-hop publication URB included the documentary in its list of the 100 artists and releases that will most affect hip-hop over the next year; it was one of only two films on the list.

Palm also will handle distribution for the "Scratch" soundtrack, and plans are in the works for the film to be issued on DVD/VHS as well as streamed on the Internet.

Pray also directed the 1996 documentary "Hype!" chronicling the rise of the Seattle grunge rock scene.