Global Film Initiative has taken all US rights to award-winning Filipino drama The Bet Collector (Kubrador).

The deal was negotiated by French sales outfit Wide Management's Matteo Lovadina.

After making its world premiere in Moscow last year, the picture has travelled to about 40 film festivals worldwide, winning numerous awards. These include two FIPRESCI awards (at Moscow and New Delhi) as well as three best actress awards (at New Delhi, Brussels and Amiens) for veteran actress Gina Pareno.

Pareno plays an aging bet collector who earns commissions from collecting bets for jueteng, an illegal number game, in the slums of Manila.

The film is directed by Jeffrey Jeturian whose previous credits include Bridal Shower and Bikini Open and produced by MLR Films' Josabeth Alonso.

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