UK producer and distributor Axiom Films has acquired all UK distribution rights to US independent film HalfNelson, sold internationally and distributed in the US by THINKFilm.

The movie, written anddirected by Ryan Fleck, receives its UK debut at the London Film Festival tonight. Itrecently won special jury prizes at both the Locarno and Deauville film festivals and is a leading nominee at the GothamAwards.

Axiom has widened itsdistribution output in the past several months, and its other recentacquisitions include Zhang Yimou's RidingAlone For Thousands Of Miles, Wim Wenders' Land Of Plenty and Eugene Jarecki's documentary Why We Fight.

"We are absolutely thrilledwith the acquisition of this wonderfully poignant film, which featuresextraordinary performances from Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps," said AxiomFilms head of acquisitions Rocio Freire-Bernat. "We look forward to buildinghere in the UK on the first class campaign run by our friends at THINKFilm in the US."

Half Nelson starsRyan Gosling and Shareeka Epps in the story of an inner-city high schoolteacher who struggles with a secret drug habit but forms an unexpectedfriendship with one of his pupils.

Added THINKFilm's DavidFenkel: "We couldn't be happier to be partnering with Axiom, the appropriatedistributor with the skill, taste and track record, to present such aremarkable American independent movie to British audiences. We feel veryconfident that the success will continue in their hands."