Alliance Atlantis Communications has confirmed that Arrow Features has acquired US rights to Denis Villeneuve's Maelstrom, which world premiered at the Montreal Film Festival last year and screened last week at the Sundance Film Festival.

The deal was announced by Patrice Theroux, president of Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution, and Dennis Friedland, president of Arrow Features.

Produced by Roger Frappier and Luc Vandal, Maelstrom is the story of a 25 year-old woman whose life spirals into chaos after she accidentally hits a man in her car and leaves the scene of the accident. The film recently won five Genie Awards (Canadian Academy Awards) including Best Film and Best Director.

The deal was negotiated by Sloss Law Office on behalf of Alliance Atlantis and John Cusimano, vice president of business and legal affairs for Arrow.