Regent Releasing has acquired North American rights from Fortissimo Films to Filipino film-maker Brillante Mendoza's drama Serbis, which will get its North American premiere here.

Serbis follows the exploits of a Filipino family that runs a dilapidated porn theatre and was the first Filipino film to play in competition in Cannes for 24 years. Regent plans to release in select cities this winter following the drama's US premiere at the 46th New York Film Festival on October 12. Ferdinand Lapuz produced and Didier Costet served as executive producer.

Regent's West Coast general manager and executive vice president of distribution and acquisitions Mark Reinhart brokered the deal with Fortissimo co-chairman Michael J Werner.