Marking its first expansion outside North America,domestic independent TLA Releasing, which specializes in gay and lesbian titles,has declared its intention to enter the UK home entertainment market andrelease 12 to 16 titles from its US catalogue each year.

Down the line the company says it plans to acquire titles fortheatrical release in the UK.

TLA is currently scouting a UK distribution partner and isexpected to make an announcement shortly. The company will set up a Londonoffice before July.

Starting in July, TLA will roll out a roster of DVD titles thatincludes Latter Days,C J Cox's romance involving a Mormon missionary, Mike Swain's epic romance andpolitical drama The Trip, and Steve Guttenberg's directorial debut P.S. Your Cat IsDead, based on JamesKirkwood's cult novel about a hapless actor who kidnaps a burglar.

Other titles include Rolf Silber's German comedy of manners RegularGuys, Canadian gaywedding comedy Everyone,the romantic comedy Slutty Summer, and the coming-of-age story Cowboys And Angels.

"Virtually every timewe release a film in the US, we get inquiries from the UK as well," TLApresident Raymond Murray said in a statement.

"Clearly thereare many films being released in the US that would be of interest to Britishaudiences but can't find a distributor. We think we can fill that void andreach out to this eager but underserved market."