Miramax Films has acquired US distribution rights to Ararat, the latest film from Canada's Atom Egoyan, from Alliance Atlantis and Serendipity Point Films. The film is the first Egoyan picture to be released by Miramax in the US since Exotica in 1994; The Sweet Hereafter in 1997 was handled by Fine Line while Felicia's Journey in 1999 was distributed by Artisan.

Written and directed by Egoyan and produced by Robert Lantos, Ararat is set against the production of an epic film about the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and features an ensemble cast including Bruce Greenwood, Eric Bogosian, Elias Koteas, Christopher Plummer, Charles Aznavour, Arsinee Khanjian, Marie-Jose Croze, Brent Carver and David Alpay.

Alliance Atlantis will distribute Ararat international markets and in Canada.

The deal was negotiated by Charles Layton, executive vice president, office of the co-chairman, and Andrew Herwitz, senior vice president of acquisitions, on behalf of Miramax. Mark Musselman negotiated the deal on behalf of Serendipity Point and Patrice Theroux on behalf of Alliance Atlantis.

The acquisition continues an aggressive global buying streak for Miramax this year which has included Tears Of The Black Tiger, Company Man, Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulain, Italian For Beginners, In The Bedroom, Everybody Famous!, Rabbit Proof Fence and Bi Chin Moo.