The producers of the Congolese gangster film are also in negotiations with distributors for the first Africa -wide simultaneous release.

Indi-genous Film Distribution has picked up South African distribution rights to Dio Tunda Wa Munga’s Congolese gangster film Viva Riva.

The company has also secured rights in six other African territories from sales agent Beta Cinema on the Congolese, French, Belgium coproduction about a hustler who sets his sights on the mistress of a local crime boss.

Producers Boris van Gils and Michael Goldberg are in negotiations with distributors in Eastern, Central and West Africa, with plans for the first Africa-wide simultaneous release.

They are also hoping to close deals on the film with France and Belgium during the Berlin Film Festival, where it will have its market screening on 10 February, followed by its European premiere on 11 February.

Beta Cinema has already done deals on the film, which world premiered in Toronto last year, with USA (Music Box), Canada (Mongrel Media), Australia/New Zealand ( Rialto) and UK (Metrodome).