IFC Films has picked up US rights to Eran Riklis' latest film Lemon Tree which premiered in the Panorama section of February's Berlin Film Festival where it won the Audience Award.

The Israeli drama features Riklis' Syrian Bride stars Hiam Abbass and Ali Suliman in the true story of a Palestinian widow forced to stand up against her new neighbour, the Israeli defence minister, when Israeli security forces deem that the trees in her lemon grove pose a threat to his security. While the woman battles them in the courts, she develops a powerful bond with the minister's wife.

'Eran is a born filmmaker who, through an almost unspoken relationship that develops between two women over a lemon tree orchard, is able to convey more about the state of the Middle East than most newspaper headlines,' said IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring in a statement. 'Lemon Tree is a deeply moving, thought-provoking and even-handed look at a situation with enduring controversy; and IFC is thrilled to be able to bring this story to American audiences.'

Arianna Bocco, vice president of acquisitions and production for IFC Films negotiated the acquisition with Didar Domehri from Films Distribution, representing the filmmakers.

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