Japan’s Tokyo Broadcast System (TBS) has closed deals with several Asian territories for current hit April Bride following its screening at the Cannes market last month.

Grouppower Entertainment has picked up rights for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; J-Bics licensed the film for Thailand and Encore Films for Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. Theatrical and DVD release dates have not yet been confirmed.

As reported on Screendaily.com last month, April Bride opened at the top of the Japanese box office. It has remained in the top five for the past six weeks and grossed over $28.47m (Y2.75bn) on 2.1 million admissions.

Based on a true story, the film is directed by Ryuichi Hiroki and stars Nana Eikura as a young woman coping with terminal breast cancer ahead of marrying her boyfriend.

It was announced yesterday that April Bride will have its international premiere at Korea’s Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (July 16-26). It will screen in the expanded “Off the Fantastic” programme.

Japan’s biggest local hit of the year, current release Rookies ($50.22m) and April release Crows II ($33.16) are both TBS productions, resulting in a strong year for the ad revenue-beleaguered broadcaster. All three films are distributed by Toho.

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