LosAngeles-based sales and distribution company Lightning Entertainment has pickedup international rights outside the US and Mexico from Televisa Cine to the hitMexican satire A Day Without A Mexican.

Sergio Arau's picture will make its market debut at theAFM in Santa Monica next week. It arrives on the back of a successful Mexicanrun predicted to gross more than $7m and a strong limited US run throughTelevisa Cine, the US distribution arm of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Televisa,that amassed more than $4m.

A Day WithoutA Mexican imagines whatlife would be like for Californians if they woke up one day and discovered thatone-third of the state's population - an essential workforce base - haddisappeared.

Yareli Arizmendi, Caroline Aaron, John Getz, Melinda RAllen, Fernando Arau and Maureen Flannigan star.

The picture wasproduced by Isaac Artenstein, with Televisa Cine general director Eckehardt vonDamm and Luis Fernandez serving as executive producers.

Lightningco-presidents Richard Guardian and Rich Goldberg negotiated the deal with vonDamm for Televisa Cine.

"The response tothis film has been phenomenal in the US and Mexico and we believe that the coretheme will resonate with audiences in other countries where people understandand relate to the satirical material presented," Guardian said in a statement.

"The raw messageof this film is unique and creatively addressed, making it a tremendousaddition to our sales slate."

"We aredelighted to be in business with Lightning Entertainment, who recognised theinternational potential in the film and who are known for their dedication andfocus and are highly respected by filmmakers and distributors alike," von Dammadded.