Europa Corp, the mini-studio headed by Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam, has become the latest distributor to acquire Chen Kaige's father and son drama Together. The film was one of the biggest hits of the Toronto film festival and was picked up there for North America by United Artists after a bidding flurry.

Europa has picked up all French rights and is likely to release the picture in early 2003. The film is handled by Etchie Stroh's Moonstone Entertainment. Together was also sold to Momentum for the UK, Vertigo for Spain, Ascot Elite for Switzerland, Shani Films of Israel and A-Films for Benelux.

The company, which is already involved in production and sales, is becoming of the most active buyers in France ahead of a major push as a theatrical distributor.

Also involved in special effects and post-production, with facilities in Normandy and Paris, Europa last month placed an order for another 20 editing workstations.

Additional reporting by Edna Fainaru