IFC Films has acquired Agnes Jaoui's latest film Let It Rain which has its North American premiere on Friday at the New York Film Festival.

IFC has also picked up North American rights to AJ Annila's gothic horror film Sauna which had its world premiere at Toronto recently.

Jaoui's social satire stars herself, Jean-Pierre Bacri and Jamel Debbouze. IFC will release it next year through its IFC In Theaters programme whereby a film opens in theatres and on VOD at the same time.

'Agnès Jaoui is at the top of her game,' said Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment. 'She has established herself not only as one of our most sophisticated directors, but also gives a performance of rare wit, matched every step of the way by the incredible Jean-Pierre Bacri and Jamel Debbouze. We couldn't be happier to be working together and are looking forward to American audiences embracing the film as we did.'

IFC Films' Arianna Bocco, vice president of production and acquisitions and Lizzie Nastro, director of production and acquisitions negotiated the deal with StudioCanal's executive vice president Harold van Lier and Vice President of International Sales Anna Marsh.

'Sauna is one of the most original horror films I've seen on the festival circuit in a long time,' said Sehring. 'AJ has made a film that, when brought to a wide national audience on VOD, should satisfy both fans of horror and those not usually attracted to the genre. It is an impressive feat that signals the emergence of a major international director.'

The North American deal was negotiated by ICM and Echo Lake Entertainment for Blind Spot Pictures, which is selling Sauna internationally.

Sauna opens in Finland on Oct 24.

Topics