Montreal-based Equinoxe Films has closed some key deals on its hot comedy Mambo Italiano starring Paul Sorvino, Ginette Reno and Mary Walsh.

Icon Entertainment has taken the film for the UK and Australia/New Zealand, Fu Works has bought it for Benelux, Lolafilms has bought Spain and Italy and Shani Film has taken Israel.

Samuel Goldwyn Films took US rights to the film before the market and plans to release it day-and-date with Equinoxe in Canada later in the year, although Equinoxe will open it in Quebec earlier on June 6.

Directed by Emile Gaudreault (Wedding Night) and written by Gaudreault and Steve Galluccio from a play by Gallucio, Mambo Italiano was one of the talking points of the AFM. It tells the story of a dysfunctional Italian immigrant family in Montreal and the discovery by the parents of the family that their son is gay.