Miramax Films has inked a deal to acquire Shona Auerbach’s directorial debut, “Dear Frankie,” in a multiterritory pact that includes North and South American rights.
The Emily Mortimer starrer was one of the hotter titles screening at the recent MIFED confab through Pathe International, the London-based sales arm of Pathe Entertainment.
The mini-major also snapped up distribution rights for Spain, Italy and Australia on the project, which is in postproduction and scheduled for completion in January.
Also starring Gerard Butler (“Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life”) and Jack McElhone (“Young Adam”), “Frankie” follows a deaf boy and his mother as they struggle to hide the fact that they’ve run away from the boy’s father.
The project generated serious buzz in Milan and was spotted for Miramax by the studio’s United Kingdom-based vp acquisitions, Maeva Gatineau.
The deal was announced by Pathe U.K. managing director Francois Ivernel and Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein. The two pacted on Gurinder Chadha’s “Bend It Like Beckham” follow-up, “Bride and Prejudice,” earlier this year (HR 5/9).
“Frankie” is produced by Caroline Wood and executive produced by Stephen Evans, Angus Finney, Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCracken and Duncan Reid. The film is a Pathe Pictures presentation in association with the U.K. Film Council and Scottish Screen of a Scorpio Films production in association with Sigma Films produced in association with Inside Track Prods.
Ian Mohr reported from New York; Stuart Kemp reported from London.
Copyright 2003 BPI Communications, Inc.