Protagonist Pictures has sold the UK and Irish rights to festive British comedy Nativity to E1 Entertainment. 

The distributor has been circling the project since seeing footage at the Berlinale’s European Film Market.

The deal was negotiated by Protagonist Pictures CEO Ben Roberts and E1 Entertainment’s director of film Alex Hamilton and senior vice president of acquisitions Lara Thompson.

The film was written and directed by Debbie Isitt and produced by Nick Jones. Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen star in the Christmas tale, which is set in Coventry.

The English city takes on a hint of Tinseltown when locals believe that Hollywood producers are coming to judge the best nativity play from rival schools.