Focus Features has pre-soldRoberto Benigni's latest comedy The Tiger And The Snow to a raft of territories ahead of its widelyanticipated Italian release next week on Oct 14.

The film has been sold to France (Pathe), Germany (Telemunchen), Benelux (A-Film), Greece (Odeon), Iceland (Sena), Portugal (Lusomundo), Scandinavia (Nordisk), Switzerland (Ascot Elite),and Turkey (Ozen).

AQS has acquired rights for Bulgaria,the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

Benigni's Baghdad-set comedy has alsobeen sold to Hong Kong (Panasia), Indonesia (PT Amero), Malaysia (Golden Screen), South Korea (Shaw), Thailand (Nontanund), and South Africa (Ster Kinekor).

Focus holds worldwide rights to the filmoutside Italy and the US. MelampoCinematografica, the company that belongs to Benigni and his producer-actresswife Nicoletta Braschi, expects to close a North American distribution deal inthe coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the film's Italian distributor, 01 Distribution, is bracing itselffor what is likely to be a hugehit at the local box office, where it willrelease the Tiger And The Snow on a massive 800screens.