Focus, Vivendi Universal's new speciality label has acquired US and select international distribution rights to Cannes Palme d'Or winner The Pianist from stablemate StudioCanal.

Focus has scheduled a December release for the film in the US, according to a statement from Focus co-presidents David Linde and James Schamus.

The English-language feature, a StudioCanal production, was produced by Polanski with Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde, and co-produced by Gene Gutowski.

Focus will distribute the film in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The deal was negotiated by Focus co-presidents David Linde and James Schamus, Focus executive vice president, business affairs Avy Eschenasy, Stephane Sperry, producer Robert Benmussa, Studio Canal's Richard Lenormand, and Jeff Berg of International Creative Management who represents Polanski.

The Pianist joins other current and upcoming Focus acquisitions including Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding; Eric Schaeffer's Never Again; Brett Morgen and Nanette Burstein's The Kid Stays In The Picture, based on the book by Robert Evans; Neil LaBute's Possession, starring Gwyneth Paltrow; Gary Hardwick's Deliver Us from Eva, starring LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union; Francois Ozon's 8 Women, starring Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Beart, Fanny Ardant, Virginie Ledoyen, Danielle Darrieux, Ludivine Sagnier, and Firmine Richard; Todd Haynes' Far From Heaven, starring Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid; Neil LaBute's The Shape Of Things, starring Gretchen Mol, Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz, and Fred Weller; and the untitled Sylvia Plath film that will star Gwyneth Paltrow for director Pawel Pawlikowski.