Indian film Matrubhoomi - A Nation Without Women has been picked up for distribution in Italy by independent player Lady Films. In Scandinavia it has been acquired by local major Svensk Filmindustri.

Sales are handled by France's Mercure International and Films Distribution, which reports discussions for other European territories and says that it expects to close further deals next week at Toronto.

The film, which appeared in the Critics' Week section of the Venice festival, is the first feature by Manish Jha, who last year won the Jury Prize at Cannes for his short A Very Very Silent Movie. It is expected to appear in competition next month in Pusan.