German broadcaster Degeto Film, making its first trip to Filmart, has closed its first deal with Fortissimo Films for the TV rights to Getting Home.

Zhang Yang's Hong Kong/China co-production was selected for the 2006 Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum and recently won the ecumenical jury prize after its screening in Berlinale Panorama.

Chinese comedian Zhao Benshan stars alongside Song Dandan, Hu Jun and Wu Ma in the comedy about a 1950s migrant worker who has to travel across China to bring his dead friend's body home.

Degeto Film's head of acquisitions Renate Michel and managing director Hans-Wolfgang Jurgan negotiated the deal with Fortissimo's Ellis Driessen.

Frankfurt-based Degeto acquires, licenses and co-produces films and TV series for ARD/First German Television.

Michel said: 'We believe Getting Home is one of the most touching comedies to come out of Asia in a long time, and especially with the rapturous reception it received at the Berlin International Film Festival, we knew that it was a title that would cross over to our audience.'

Fortissimo's Driessen added: 'We are thrilled that ARD/Degeto responded so well to Getting Home when it premiered in Berlin and that on the occasion of their first attendance to Hong Kong's Filmart, we were able to finalise a deal with them. It marks the continuation of a long, positive and important relationship between ourselves and ARD/Degeto that continues to bring unique and award winning films from around the world to the German TV audiences.'

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