“Zaytoun” Toronto Fest hit nabs UK distribution

PanARMENIAN.Net - Eran Riklis' Zaytoun, starring Stephen Dorff, has inked a UK distribution deal with Artificial Eye, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The film, which details the story of the unlikely alliance between a 12-year-old Palestinian refugee and an Israeli fighter pilot shot down over Beirut in 1982, will be rolled out from Dec. 26 this year.

Fred Ritzenberg of FAR Films initially developed Zaytoun with Riklis.

Oscar winning King's Speech producer Gareth Unwin, CEO of Bedlam Productions, boarded after being pitched the script during the Dubai International Film Festival 2010.

The script was penned by first time writer Palestinian scribe Nader Rizq.

Having played at Toronto, picking up a runners up prize for the Audience Award, Zaytoun also unspooled during the BFI London Film Festival and will shortly play at the UK Jewish Film Festival.

Zaytoun will have its U.S premiere at AFI Fest on Nov.7.

Pathé is handling international sales rights during the American Film Market and will also distribute the film in France.

United King is handling Israeli distribution rights, with the movie already inking deals with Senator/Telepool for Germany and Austria, CCC Japan and Kinoswiat Poland.

The project marks the first film to take advantage of the newly ratified UK-Israel film coproduction Treaty.

Unwin and Ritzenberg said: "Artificial Eye have made a name for themselves in their expert handling of a number of remarkable titles in recent times. We very much look forward to getting Zaytoun out to the British public working with this wonderful distributor."