German sales agent Beta Cinema has picked up writer-director Djo Tunda Wa Munga’s feature debut Viva Riva! and signed its first deals with the US, UK and Australia/New Zealand.

The surprise hit in Toronto, which follows the rise and fall of the Congolese smuggler and petty criminal Riva, was sold for the US to Music Box, to the UK distributor Metrodome, and Rialto for Australia and New Zealand.

The co-production by France’s Formosa, Belgium’s MG Productions and Suka! from the Democratic Republic of Congo will now be presented by Beta Cinema at the forthcoming AFM.