EXCLUSIVE: Kirk D’Amico’s Santa Monica-based financing, production and sales company has acquired international rights to Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes starring Jessica Biel and will screen in Cannes.

Francesca Gregorini wrote and directed the drama thriller, which premiered in Sundance and also stars Kaya Scodelario, Alfred Molina, Aneurin Barnard, Jimmi Simpson and Frances O’Connor. Kevin Iwashina of Preferred Content represents US rights.

Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes tells of an acerbic teenager living with her father and stepmother who forms a strong bond with a new neighbour who bears a striking resemblance to her late mother.

D’Amico and Myriad Pictures svp of legal and business affairs David Ducar brokered the deal with Iwashina and Abby Davis of Preferred Content and Jonathan Gray of Gray Krauss Stratford Des Rochers on behalf of the filmmakers.

“Francesca has skillfully created full and complex characters who struggle to find some solid ground, both ethically and emotionally,” said D’Amico. “She has utilised a vibrant palette of beautiful and intricate images to tell this highly original and powerful coming of age tale.”

Matthew R Brady and Gregorini produced while Gray, Paul Schiff, Kenny Goodman, Iwashina, Michael Sackler, Julia Godzinskaya, Alice Bamford, Olga Segura, Juan Carlos Segura G, Alex Sagalchik and Brent Stiefel served as executive producers.

Myriad’s Cannes slate includes: The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her starring Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy; Electric Slide with Jim Sturgess; The Curse Of Downers Grove starring Bella Heathcote; The World Made Straight starring Jeremy Irvine and Minka Kelly; and the Myriad and Pinewood Studios production Weightless with Jessica Alba.