Miramax Films has acquiredNorth and South American rights to Pathe's animated feature Sprung!The Magic Roundabout.

The announcement was made byFrancois Ivernel, managing director of Pathe UK, and Harvey Weinstein,co-chairman of Miramax Films. Weinstein met with the animators and workedclosely with Agnes Mentre, executive vice presidentof acquisitions and co-productions, and Maeva Gatineau, UK-based seniorvice president of acquisitions, in bringing Sprung! into Miramax.

"Harvey Weinstein hasthe right vision and marketing acumen to bring The Magic Roundabout to the largest audience in American theatres,"said Ivernel.

The UK release is scheduledfor February through Pathe, which will also open the film in France and ishandling international sales.

Sprung! marks the third recent sales deal between the twocompanies after Bollywood-style musical Bride And Prejudice and Shona Auerbach's British drama Dear Frankie.

The big-screen adaptation ofthe French children's classic - which is voiced by anyone fromKylie Minogue to Ian McKellen - is in the final stages of post-production andis scheduled for completion in January.

"The quality of thestory and the animation is second to none," said Mentre, who negotiatedthe acquisition for Miramax with David Miercort, senior vice president ofacquisitions and business affairs.

Cameron McCracken, deputymanaging director of Pathe Pictures, and Los Angeles-based attorney RobertDarwell negotiated for Pathe.