Ahead of its premieres in Toronto and San Sebastian, the UK and Irish rights to Michael Winterbottom's latest film Genova have been snapped up by Metrodome Distribution.

The deal was done directly with production company Revolution Films, founded by Winterbottom and his producer Andrew Eaton.

The deal was negotiated between Metrodome CEO Peter Urie and General Manager Distribution Sara Frain with Revolution's Eaton.

Metrodome plans an early 2009 release. THINKFilm already has US rights and HanWay is handling international sales.

Colin Firth, Catherine Keener, Willa Holland and Perla Haney-Jardine star in the story of a widowed husband who moves his daughters to Italy where their loss begins to affect them in strange ways.

Frain said: 'With Genova Michael Winterbottom solidifies his position as a leading director of contemporary British filmmaking. We couldn't be more excited to be working with Andrew and Michael to bring this masterful and haunting work to the UK public.'

Eaton adds: 'Michael and I are really excited to be working with Metrodome on Genova. They have a very filmmaker-friendly approach and they reacted so positively to the story.'

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