Clio Barnard’s film is a fiction-documentary hybrid which will have its world premiere on April 25 at Tribeca.

UK distributor Verve Pictures has picked up UK rights to The Arbor ahead of its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Screen recently singled out the film as one of the buzz titles of the festival.

Wavelength Pictures has come on board for international sales. Its Tribeca world premiere is scheduled for April 25; Verve plans a late autumn theatrical launch in the UK.

Clio Barnard’s film is a fiction-documentary hybrid starring Manjinder Virk, Christine Bottomley, Monica Dolan, and Jimi Mistry. The project is about the life of the late Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar, who wrote Rita Sue and Bob Too. The film’s title comes from Dunbar’s first play, which she wrote at age 15.

Tracy O’Riordan produced, with Michael Morris executive producing. The Arbor is an Artangel/UK Film Council production, in association with Jerwood Charitable Foundation, Arts Council England & More4.

“We are thrilled by the positive early responses to the film and hope that it continues to connect with audiences on its festival journey, building to our UK release in October,” said O’Riordan.