Alex Massis' The Film Source has made its first acquisition of 2007, taking worldwide rights to Dan Svatek's Czech comedy Close To Heaven.

Svatek also wrote and produced the film, which is said to be the first English-language film produced in the Czech Republic.

The story centres on a diverse group of residents at the Fellini-esque eponymous hotel and stars Jean Michel Francis Gogo and Tuva Novotny.

'We are continuing to acquire high quality films from different cultures,' Edward Jordon, The Film Source's vice president of acquisitions, said. 'During 2006 we acquired one film each from the USA (Sleep Till You Drink), the UK (Upstaged), and the Philippines (Compound).

'Within a week or two, we shall proudly announce an additional and equally remarkable new movie from the Philippines.'