Fremantle Home Entertainmenthas struck a new joint venture with UK distributor Verve Pictures for therelease of Penny Woolcock's Mischief Night. This marks Fremantle's first foray into theatrical distribution.

Both parties get all UKrights including free TV, DVD and digital distribution rights and Fremantlesaid the deal was important as multi-platform releasing grows in popularity.Fremantle noted that its home entertainment business was diversifying andexpanding its catalogue.

The comedy is about racialconflicts and family and romantic problems in Leeds and will open in cinemastoday after premiering at The Times BFI London Film Festival.

The joint venture agreementwas brokered by Fremantle's Pete Kalhan, senior vice president, homeentertainment & archive sales with Colin Burch and Julia Short of VervePictures

'We are activelyseeking to develop more relationships like this and to expand our existing filmcatalogue, especially into theatrical releases and hope to be in a position toannounce further deals in the near future,' Kalhan said.