New York-based GreeneStreet Films has acquired worldwide rights towriter-director Sally Potter's romantic drama Yes, which stars Joan Allen and will beavailable for pre-sales at Cannes next month. The film is already in productionin London.

The film is being co-financed by the UK Film Council's New CinemaFund as part of its $15m three-year investment mandate to support projects thatdemonstrate "unique ideas and innovative approaches".

Vicki Cherkas and Cedric Jeanson negotiated the deal on behalf ofGreeneStreet.

Yescentres on a love affair between a married American scientist and a Lebanesecook living in exile in London. Allen and Simon Abkarian (The Truth AboutCharlie) take the leadswith support from Sam Neill as Allen's husband and Shirley Henderson as hercleaner. Producers are Potter's longtime producer Christopher Sheppard throughhis Adventure Pictures and Andrew Fierberg.

"We are extremely proud to be a part of Sally's film. It is athoroughly compelling story with a gifted cast," GreeneStreet Films' JohnPenotti said in a statement. "Yes is one of the most original scripts I have read in a long time."

Potter rose to prominence in 1994 when her Virginia Woolfadaptation Orlandogarnered two Oscar nominations. Other credits include the BAFTA nominated TheTango Lesson (1997) and TheMan Who Cried (2000)which starred Cristina Ricci, Johnny Depp and Cate Blanchett.

GreeneStreet Films was founded by John Penotti and Fisher Stevens.Its financing and producing credits include the Oscar nominated In TheBedroom, Pinero and Swimfan.

The New CinemaFund has co-funded Peter Mullan's The Magdalene Sisters, Paul Greengrass's Bloody Sunday and Shane Meadows' Once Upon a Timein the Midlands, amongothers.