UK distribution company Contender Entertainment Group has taken all UK rights from Carnaby International to horror film Daddy's Girl.

The UK psychological thriller was directed by Welsh first-time feature director DJ Evans. Nerys Lloyd of Boda Cyf produced.

The project is a Boda/Carnaby co-production in association with the Arts Council of Wales.

Daddy's Girl stars Richard Harrington and Jaime Winstone in the story of a widowed psychiatrist who meets a teenage girl who exhibits sinister behaviour.

Contender has been known for its home-video business and its Asian theatrical hits including The Grudge, but the company has recently branched out into more non-Asian theatrical acquisitions. Daddy's Girl marks the company's first UK feature acquisition and will hit cinemas later in 2007.

Tristan Woods-Scawen, the new film manager at Contender, says: 'In Daddy's Girl we are delighted to have acquired what we consider to be British film making at its best - high quality, intelligent and using the best of emerging British talent.'

Will Machin of Carnaby International added: 'We are delighted to have Contender Films releasing our film in its home territory. They have a reputation for formulating innovative, intelligent and engaging campaigns for their films, which we believe will serve Daddy's Girl very well.'