UK companies picked up several titles from theCannes official selection before today's festival opening.

Tartan signed CarlosReygadas' competition entry Battle In Heaven, Kim Ki-Duk's Un Certain Regard entry, The Bow, and Kim Jee-woon's A Bittersweet Life (screening out of competition.)It also took UK rights (excluding TV) to James Marsh's Un Certain Regard entry, The King.

Continuing its long-standingrelationship with Austrian auteur Michael Haneke, Artificial Eye signed upBritish rights to Haneke's latest, Hidden.

Momentum Pictures snapped up UK rights to Jim Jarmusch's Broken Flowers.

Optimum Releasing has alsobeen active. Along with Last Days, Me And You And Everyone We Know and Wolf Creek (all in official selection), it has taken rights to Sally Potter's Yesfrom GreeneStreet Films, GregWhiteley's documentary New YorkDoll from Cinetic Media and haspre-bought The Holy Beast, Erich Breuer's 18th Century-setdrama starring John Malkovich and Nastassja Kinski, in a deal brokered withArtists Independent Pictures.

Metrodome bolstered its release slate with three new titles, PrettyPersuasion from Renaissance Films, The Mighty Celt from BBC Films and Mad HotBallroom from Paramount Classics and Fortissimo Films; in addition SodaPictures has taken UK rights to Niagara Mote, starring Craig Ferguson andAnna Friel, from Park Entertainment.

Meanwhile, new UKdistributor Revolver is to partner with international film consultantTransPacific Media LLC which will now become Revolver's LA representative.Recent Revolver pickups include What The Bleep Do We Know, Debutantes and Dreams Of World Cup Glory.

UK distributor DogwoofPictures has acquired all UK rights to Montreal-based Max Film International's SeducingDr. Lewis (La Grande Seduction). The sale is a coup for Max, comingnearly two years after the film's premiere at the Quinzaine in 2003. Some 22countries have picked up rights on the picture, which was written by Ken Scottand directed by Jean-Francois Pouliot and produced by Max Films' Roger Frappierand Luc Vandal. It won the audience award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.