London-based Vertigo Films has acquired UK rights to The Cove following a deal with UK sales company, The Works International.

Directed by Louie Psihoyos, co-founder of the Ocean Preservation Society, it aims to expose the truth about the international dolphin capture trade in Taiji, Japan. It follows Richard O’ Barry, an internationally recognised authority on dolphin training, best known for his work on the Sixties TV show Flipper.

Carl Clifton, managing director of The Works, said: “Vertigo is totally commercially-minded and has a fantastic track record in reaching wide audiences.”

The Cove has clocked up 12 awards including 2009’s Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, Sydney Film Festival Audience Award, Seattle International Film Festival and, most recently, Best Feature Documentary at the Galway Film Festival.

Rupert Preston of Vertigo Films describes it as “one of the most powerful and moving stories I have seen in a long time.” It will be released in the UK in autumn 2009.

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