Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights from Focus Features International (FFI) to Mike Leigh’s much fancied Palme d’Or contender Another Year.

FFI chief Alison Thompson concluded the deal with the Sony Pictures Classics team of Tom Bernard, Michael Barker and Dylan Leiner at around midnight on Tuesday [18].

Another Year will open towards the end of the year and Bernard and Barker are likely to give it an awards push.

The drama chronicles a year in the life of a group of ordinary people. The ensemble cast includes Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, Ruth Sheen, Peter Wight and Imelda Staunton.