Distributor Tartan Filmshas acquired all UK and Ireland rights to Driving Lessons, starring Julie Walters, Rupert Grint,and Laura Linney.

The film is the directorialdebut from Mrs Brown screenwriterJeremy Brock, who also wrote the original story about an aging actress(Walters) who develops an unconventional friendship with a poetry-lovingteenage boy (Grint).

"Driving Lessons is a wonderful,beautifully made and very commercial British feature film and we look forwardto releasing it in the UK and Ireland this year," said Laura DeCasto,managing director of Tartan Films.

Julia Chasman produced throughher company RubberTreePlant. Alexandra Fergusonco-produced, with Edward R. Pressman and Alessandro Camonserving as executive producers.

Driving Lessons was funded partially by the UK Film Council's Premiere Fund, and ITVpre-bought UK free television rights. ContentFilm International is representing remainingworldwide rights.

The film will have its North American premiere at theTribeca Film Festival on April 30.